Discover premier golf courses in Henderson, NV. Enjoy stunning views, well-maintained greens, and a challenging yet enjoyable experience for all skill levels. Perfect for a corporate retreat or a weekend getaway.
• 10 championship Golf Courses
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• Over 20 Hotels to Choose From
• Easy access to Harry Reid International Airport and the I-15
Ten Championship Golf Courses A Variety of Shopping Water Street: Dining, Events, Live Entertainment
A destination that delivers St. Joseph
Inspired Meetings Begin in Storied Spaces
Why settle for ordinary meeting spaces when you can host your event where history was made? In St. Joseph, Missouri, remarkable venues rich with character not only tell the stories that shaped America but are open for your small meeting. From historic Victorian homes to museums and memorials, you’ll find inspired places to inspire your attendees.
Beyond the venues, St. Joseph awaits discovery. From the Pony Express to the final chapter of Jesse James’ legendary story, your guests can explore museums, historic trails, and landmarks that tell the tales of those who shaped the West.
Let St. Joseph’s storied spaces turn your next small meeting into something extraordinary—start planning today at stjomo.com.
IN WESTERN MASS
Courtesy See Monterey
(Planning your next event in Kearney is no gamble.)
Why stress over event planning? In Kearney, it’s a breeze for planners & attendees alike. With superior facilities, top-notch event & catering staff, affordability, & convenience, come together to make Kearney an exceptional (& exceptionally easy) place for conferences of all types!
Why? Because Kearney has the best facilities between Denver and Omaha, and experienced staff that make sure every event is a win!
If you’re looking for a host city for your next event, make sure you look at Kearney, Nebraska.
If you’re looking for a host city for your next event, make sure you look at Kearney, Nebraska.
WITH VICKIE MITCHELL
TEAM BUILDING’S BIG TENT
If you think of trust falls and ropes courses when you hear the term “team building,” think again. These days, it takes a big tent to hold all the activities and exercises labeled as team building. Although the exercises have different goals, they all share one trait: They bring groups of people together. Here are some thoughts and ideas.
Consider these unconventional approaches to cooperative activities
Without a goal, no one wins
Teams that work well together communicate, cooperate, are creative and know their stuff. Team building can sharpen all those skills. When you want to bust out of the proverbial box and boost creativity and collaboration, it might be time to try activities that require groupthink, like highly popular escape rooms. USA Today’s “Best Escape Rooms” list last year included Enchambered in Sacramento, California, where players can solve mysteries like a locked lab or a Victorian manor with a paranormal problem, as well as Decode Escape Rooms, with multiple Michigan locations, where challenges include getting around the world in 80 days. Doing the same sort of exercise in-house can be as simple as challenging staff to come up with wild ideas — no limits — for solving a real-world issue. There are also times when it pays to call in team-building experts to work out difficult issues like communication breakdowns. Teambuilding.com offers a list of 18 top team-building facilitators.
If you build it, who will come?
Team-building exercises that work best are designed for the audience. Knowing your crowd can prevent the groans and eye rolls of those who aren’t on board with the plan and may have good reason for an unenthused response. For example, beach volleyball sounds like fun to some, but completely out of bounds to others. Events that lean on cocktails won’t suit a mostly sober-curious crowd. Different occupations can have different personality traits, so what works for sales managers might not work for structural engineers or schoolteachers. One way to get more buy-in with a crowd, especially if the team-building exercise is aimed at connecting people, is to ask attendees what they would like to do. Provide them with a list of options and design team building based on feedback.
Got game? Pickleball could be the real deal
Sports are a natural for team building, but it can be a challenge to find one that’s a fit for varied athletic abilities. A sport that scores high in ease of play and abundant facilities is the nation’s fastest-growing one: pickleball. Millions of Americans of all ages already play, and there are nearly 70,000 courts, 20,000 of them added just last year. Many courts are in public parks, and now entrepreneurs are getting in the game by building pickleball complexes with add-ons like bars and restaurants. One of the largest of these, Rhythm and Rally Sports and Events in Macon, Georgia, has 32 courts; next year, it will be surpassed when Pure Pickleball and Padel opens in in Scottsdale, Arizona, with 50 indoor courts and a 400-person rooftop bar.
Exercise mind, body and spirit
Activities that engage mind, body and spirit can help even the most introverted to open up.
One simple and inexpensive exercise that also gives participants a choice is “game day.” This unstructured bonding experience requires only tables, chairs, board games, decks of cards and some video game setups. Participants simply move around the room to play their favorite games. Another idea? Have conference attendees tour a museum to get some fresh ideas and insights. After the group explores exhibits, gather everyone for a nice lunch in a museum space to talk about what moved them, what surprised them and how what they saw might work into their lives going forward. Most convention bureaus are happy to suggest businesses in their city that offer active team-building activities. In Lake Charles, Louisiana, for example, the CVB lists several ideas on its website, including two-hour, flour-filled group lessons full of “pastabilities” at the Pasta Lab.
For an authentic experience, volunteer
If you’ve ever volunteered with a group to help others, you know how powerful the experience can be. Scavenger hunts, office Olympics and other events can seem overly orchestrated, but group volunteer efforts are authentic experiences that let peers connect easily and naturally. The best also reinforce an organization’s interests or business philosophies: the Realtors’ association whose members hammer at a Habitat for Humanity house; the organic foods firm whose sales staff spend time on a local farm, harvesting produce to deliver to food pantries; the environmental engineering conference whose attendees plant trees and flowers for a parks department. Large groups of volunteers also make quick work of tasks that overwhelm small nonprofits. Consider the conference group that helped a nonprofit in New Orleans sort through and bag beads and other Mardi Gras throws so they could be resold, with money from sales benefiting the nonprofit.
MEETING LEADERS
TOBY WORD
TBY REBECCA TREON
oby Word credits being a creative thinker for her success as sales manager at the Chesapeake Convention and Visitors Bureau. But her creativity was part of her life long before she was in the hospitality industry.
Word grew up in Queens, New York, where she attended Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music and Art and Performing Arts, better known to many as the high school in the 1980 movie “Fame,” where she focused on modern dance.
“I’ve had an interesting journey towards the hospitality and tourism industry — this is actually my third career,” she said. “I have a background in the performing arts and was a professional modern dancer for many years. I was a dance major in college and got a fine arts degree, and then I had the opportunity to dance with different companies in the United States and in Europe.”
In 1994, Word returned to the U.S. and switched gears, taking a sales job with the Yellow Pages selling advertising.
“I sold advertising with a couple of different companies and then worked for an advertising agency,” she said. “I worked as a media sales executive for the local newspaper, which evolved into a media company, and that evolved into online and social media advertising.”
“My dad used to tell me that we have ‘ties to the Tidewater,’ which is what we call the many waterways in coastal Virginia. My family ties run deep in this area.”
Word’s focus was the recruitment advertising category, working on campaigns run by human resources professionals who wanted to attract potential hires. She ran ads in the newspaper then online to help companies recruit staff. That eventually evolved into selling booth packages to companies that would attend job fairs to find new applicants. It was around that time that Word once again felt she needed a shift.
“The newspaper industry in 2016 was changing pretty quickly — the whole media landscape was — and I just started to think about how much I loved Chesapeake,” she said. “I made it my home a little more than 20 years ago, and it is a beautiful city.”
Word initially made the move to join her family. Her grandparents had moved to the area, followed by her parents then her brother and his family. But, as it turns out, the area was her family’s ancestral home, too — one of her dad’s relatives, who was born in the 1800s, was an abolitionist who started a local newspaper.
“My dad used to tell me that we have ‘ties to the Tidewater,’ which is what we call the many waterways in coastal Virginia,” she said. “My family ties run deep in this area.”
Word has been working as the sales manager at the Chesapeake Convention and Visitors Bureau for nearly a decade now and
loves that every day in the office is a little different. She does group sales for leisure and hobby groups, faith-based travel, fraternities, sororities and military reunions.
“I do a little bit of several things in my sales role,” she said. “With my dance career, I didn’t know that tourism and hospitality was a whole industry, but, as I think about it, I feel like my foundation in the performing arts has given me a unique perspective on sales, especially in the hospitality and tourism industry. There are a lot of things that translate well in this career: being able to collaborate with people, build strong connections and adapt to different audiences. As I experienced those things in meeting and event sales, I thought, ‘I’m very accustomed to this.’”
Word loves the challenges she encounters in selling Chesapeake — and in finding personalized, creative solutions to her clients’ needs. She especially loves connecting people and helping them find the perfect venue for their events.
“People can meet anywhere — really, one hotel ballroom isn’t necessarily all that different from any other hotel ballroom,” she said. “What excites me about my job is that I’m selling my destination as the experience they can have in Chesapeake. I look for the things here that are special because I love the city so much, and we have so many really interesting ways to enjoy it.”
EXECUTIVE PROFILE
NAME
Toby Word
TITLE
Sales Manager
ORGANIZATION
Chesapeake Convention and Visitors Bureau
LOCATION
Chesapeake, Virginia
BIRTHPLACE
Queens, New York
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance, S.U.N.Y. Purchase, 1990
CAREER HISTORY
• Performing artist (professional modern dancer), 1986–1996
• Media sales executive, Pilot Media Companies, 2001–2016
• Sales manager, Chesapeake Convention and Visitors Bureau, 2016–present
“There are a lot of things that translate well [from dance] in this career: being able to collaborate with people, build strong connections and adapt to different audiences.”
TOBY WORD, CENTER, POSES WITH TRAVEL BUYERS AT THE AFRICAN AMERICAN TRAVEL CONFERENCE.
THE VALUE OF EXPERIENTIAL MARKETING
Alexis Campbell
EVENT PRODUCER
Stoelt Productions
Alexis Campbell is an event producer at Stoelt Productions, an experiential marketing and event production company. She attended the University of Arkansas for a bachelor’s degree in journalism with an emphasis in advertising and public relations, as well as a master’s degree in the same field. She held roles in marketing and social media before focusing her career on experiential marketing. She was recognized as one of BizBash’s Fresh Faces of 2024.
Can you explain what exactly experiential marketing is and how it differs from other types of marketing?
A:I would describe experiential marketing as a strategy that brands use to engage their audience or their consumers by creating an in-person immersive brand experience or touchpoint. Having these in-person experiences really fosters a deeper relationship or deeper emotional connection between the brand and their consumers or potential consumers. You can use experiential marketing to tell the story about your brand. The ultimate goal is to engage people with a full, immersive experience — a lot of experiential marketing events activate the five senses. If you’re shopping in a store, you might not be connecting with the brand, but that’s what brands are trying to achieve by doing a pop-up event or some type of activation at a festival or whatever the experiential event might be.
So, it’s essentially using an event to market a product or brand. How does experiential marketing relate to the world of event planning?
A: It overlaps with event planning. I feel like I’m a specialized event planner, and I think it’s a unique type of event to plan because there are aspects that are pulled in from music festivals that I use for planning these brand events. And there are aspects I use that I’m sure tons of wedding planners are also using. I’m using the same vendors and caterers and fabricators, which are constructing displays, props, booths or some type of interactive element.
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How does the planning process differ?
A:I think that the steps are the same. A client comes to us, or we pitch to them about what they’re looking for, and then we have an agreed-upon goal for what the end vision is. You get to a point where you know what you’re trying to do. And then that’s where I think it becomes pretty much the same as a lot of event planning because you start with the vision then go to the logistics. You’ll have to select a venue, and then you start trying to find your vendors, if there’s a catering aspect. The on-site execution is similar as well. A lot of times I feel like I’m a wedding planner, but the wedding is for a brand. And there are a lot of the same goals. Everyone’s trying to create something that resonates and is memorable and that everyone there enjoys.
What about when it comes to measuring the ROI of an experiential marketing event versus a traditional event?
A:A lot of times we’re also trying to capture tangible metrics for how an event performed as well. We’re looking at how long people stayed, the amount of time they stayed in a pop-up, what the foot traffic was in general, how many people were able to come by afterwards. We’ll get their information somehow. For example, we will have a goal of having people scan a QR code or making sure they have the app downloaded. And then, from there, we can see how many people use a coupon we gave them. So, I think there’s kind of a metrics aspect that might be a little bit different. We’re also checking social media — that’s a huge way to measure it. For example, how many people are using a hashtag or posting about the event and sharing with other people? That’s the main other difference I can think of.
Why is using an experiential marketing event such a powerful tool to promote a brand or a product?
A:Creating something memorable is super powerful because it creates all these associations and feelings for people that they maybe didn’t have for the brand before. So, if you have a super positive experience because you go to this really fun pop-up, and you got free merch, you had a great time, you feel great, because of that you feel great about the brand, too. So, it creates a really good, positive association. So then, if you’re at the store, and if you’re making a choice between brands, and you had a really positive, fun time with one brand, then that stands out. You’re going to probably keep choosing that brand over and over. Or, if your brand is new to the market, and you want to get the word out about the brand, then it could be super powerful in that way. I think probably the biggest part is the connection-building. And then, second to that, I would say reach through social media sharing. That is super powerful for the brand, too.
For meetings near D.C. but not in it, Maryland has many options
BY VICKIE MITCHELL
When the goal is to meet near Washington, but not in it, the Maryland cities and towns around D.C. are great options. A web of interstates, three international airports (Dulles, BWI, Reagan National), and, in some areas, metro and train service, make access easy. Cost savings can be considerable, with lower hotel rates and room taxes and the likelihood of free parking. These three counties offer lots of options.
ANNAPOLIS/ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY
Anne Arundel County masterfully combines historic Annapolis charm with the modern conveniences of the BWI Airport and Arundel Mills area, offering meeting planners a diverse selection of venues. In Annapolis, establishments such as the Historic Inns of Annapolis, Annapolis Waterfront Hotel, The Westin, and Graduate Annapolis provide a blend of traditional elegance and contemporary amenities. Near downtown, the DoubleTree by Hilton and Crowne Plaza further enhances the county’s meeting options. The BWI/Arundel Mills region boasts expansive venues like Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, featuring over 50,000 square feet of event space. Nearby, the BWI Airport Marriott, Westin, Hotel at Arundel Preserve, and Sheraton BWI Airport offer additional flexible and convenient meeting spaces. Plus, plan your next event with unique experiences, including U.S. Naval Academy-inspired leadership training, historic tours, and private cruise charters, ensuring memorable networking opportunities.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY
Montgomery County, between D.C. and Baltimore, is home to Bethesda, Gaithersburg, Rockville, Silver Spring and other cities. Several of its towns are bordered by I-270. The county is packed with meeting venues: 54 hotels, five conference centers and numerous off-site options. Conference hotels include the Hilton Washington/Rockville
Hotel and Executive Meeting Center, near a metro station, with 35,000 square feet of conference space. It’s convenient to Rockville’s walkable downtown and its restaurants, bars and shops. For larger groups, the 447-room Bethesda North Marriott Hotel and Conference Center has 61,000 square feet of meeting space. Also, new to Bethesda’s bustling downtown, there’s the 245-room Marriott Bethesda Downtown at Marriott Headquarters with 7,000 square feet of conference space. For a quieter setting, the 431-room Bolger Center in Potomac rests on 43 acres of gardens and hills.
HOWARD COUNTY
Ellicott City and Columbia, Howard County’s largest cities, are 20 miles west of Baltimore and BWI. Access from I-70 and I-95 adds to the region’s convenience, and properties like the 172-room Turf Valley Resort or Bon Secours Retreat and Conference Center, make meetings feel like escapes. In addition to 40,000 square feet of meeting space Turf Valley has a championship golf course and other resort features. Bon Secours is a quiet place on 313 wooded acres. Both are near Elliott City, founded in 1771 and known for a downtown stocked with shops and restaurants. In Columbia, a $30 million renovation has elevated Merriweather Lakehouse, a 212room Marriott Autograph property, next to Lake Kittamaqundi near downtown. It has 12,500 square feet of meeting space. For board meetings, the Columbia Inn at Peralynna has 15 suites and small meeting space.
To learn more, visit meetinmaryland.com, a partnership of Visit Annapolis and Anne Arundel County, Visit Baltimore, Visit Howard County, Visit Montgomery and Experience Prince George’s, five DMOs that work together to market Maryland meeting venues in the greater D.C. area.
Launch Sequence
MEETING PROS SHARE STRATEGIES FOR GETTING EVENTS OFF THE GROUND
BY RACHEL CRICK
It’s easy for organizations to get swept up in the exciting idea of creating new events. Visions of packed ballrooms and large profit margins often propel these new events forward, even though planners know the reality of launching an event often entails guesswork, skepticism and setbacks. So, what are the major differences between planning a recurring event and a new event? How should one assess the event and its needs without a history? And how do organizations get stakeholders to co-sign their new event’s success?
Here’s what three expert planners had to say about launching new events.
ASSESS THE NEED
When an organization comes to a planner with the idea for a new event, planners typically find that these organizations have grand ideas but haven’t yet done the work to justify the event’s creation.
“All too often, groups are enamored with the idea,” said Heather Sampson, founder and CEO of her planning company, Aspire Meetings and Events. “But if they don’t have an audience to draw from, or they’re not filling a critical need, it’s going to be a really hard sell.”
When an organization first conceptualizes a new event, it’s especially important for them to be able to identify its purpose, or “the why.” This process requires them to research their current industry, ask what needs aren’t being met by similar events, identify problems within their industry and determine what would make this new event stand out.
“In my experience, a lot of these ideas stem from strategic dialogue with your leadership, and a lot of it is built around a pain point,” said Leah Lewis, senior director of education and events at the American Gear Manufacturers Association. “So maybe there’s a problem or a challenge that the industry is facing, and there is a new need for people to get together to talk about issues or learn about a new challenge.”
Once they have developed an understanding of their event’s purpose, they can then begin to flesh out its goals and objectives, which are critical to the planning process. Whether it’s fundraising or filling an educational need, determining the event’s objectives ensures the rest of the event details come into sharper focus. Specific
“You need to start with the strategy for the event and what exactly you’re trying to achieve and go from there.”
Leah Lewis
SENIOR
DIRECTOR
OF EDUCATION AND EVENTS
American Gear Manufacturers Association Experience: 15 years
“Give yourself plenty of lead time for a new event, more than you would for any other event, to really do your homework before you go too far with the planning. It goes back to understanding why you’re doing this, what you’re hoping to achieve, and understanding your stakeholders’ wants and needs.”
and measurable objectives help a planner develop every other aspect of the event, from brand messaging to the target audience and even logistical factors such as venue.
“When you’re starting a new event, you’re trying to sell the idea of what your event is,” said Melanie Fransen, owner of In Any Event, who works primarily with nonprofit associations. “It has to have a strong voice and a strong purpose to attract your attendees and to solicit sponsors.”
Knowing “the why” can also help planners when it comes to measuring the event. Without a history to compare it to, usual metrics like attendance or profit aren’t always the best way to determine ROI.
Alternative ways to assess ROI can include things like pre- and postevent surveys to assess growth in attendees’ skill levels or evaluations with long-form feedback to measure stakeholder satisfaction.
REACH THE TARGET AUDIENCE
Heather Sampson
FOUNDER AND CEO
Aspire Meetings and Events
Experience: 27 years
Once the event’s purpose is in focus, its target audience is easier to identify. Event organizers should have a very clear picture of the ideal attendee’s demographic information. If the goal is fundraising, for example, young professionals likely aren’t going to be the target group. But if the goal is training and networking to bridge a generational gap within the workforce, they’ll make the cut.
Once they’ve identified the type of attendee that is the best fit for their event, planners must build a list. Associations benefit from having an existing member list they can sample from, but other groups may have to rely on surveys, focus groups or attendance lists from other similar events or associations.
“You really need to know who you’re targeting,” Sampson said. “Build up an email list and database of who you plan on promoting this to.”
The best way to reach attendees differs based on the target audience, but two things are certain: promoting the event to them is incredibly important, and there will need to be more promotion for a new event than a recurring event.
“You don’t have a built-in audience yet, so there is a lot of special marketing that needs to be happening because you’re not only trying to get people there, but you’re also having to explain what the event is,” Lewis said. “I think this is a case where the meeting planner needs to be very aligned with their marketing and communications team.”
Sampson suggested ramping up the frequency and volume of the marketing efforts for new events compared to recurring events.
“To me, it’s far more frequent, and you need to have more messaging out there,” she said.
Melanie Fransen
OWNER In Any Event Experience: 15 years
“Do your research, start at the very beginning before you launch. Make sure you have your ‘why’ because you have to be able to sell the event and prove it will be successful.”
“Pushing things through on social media is key and also sharing some marketing tools with speakers and others who can help spread the word.”
Other outside-the-box ideas for promoting attendance at a new event include special promotion for early registration, a partnership with sponsors or speakers to promote the event in the months leading up to it and working with an industry media outlet or brand ambassador for promotion.
PROMOTE STAKEHOLDER SUCCESS
When it comes to new events, it’s not just the event organizers that are putting themselves out there; all stakeholders — the vendors, sponsors, exhibitors and attendees — are assuming varying levels of risk because the event doesn’t have a history. That’s why it can be more difficult to get them onboard. To promote the event’s success, and therefore the stakeholders’ success, transparency and flexibility are both key.
When it comes to site selection, it’s important to choose a destination, hotel and vendor partners that can offer this flexibility. Highly competitive markets have less room for guessing about room blocks, catering and meeting space when an event doesn’t have a history to draw from. Meanwhile, second- and third-tier cities are more likely to bid on an event and leave some wiggle room in the contract for cost-savings and budget adjustments.
It can be much more challenging to attract sponsors for a first-time event than a recurring event.
“It is difficult because we all know sponsorship dollars are limited,” Fransen said. “So, when we’re building the events, you have to look at it from a sponsorship perspective and ask, ‘How can we feature your company so that you have an ROI?’”
This can include designing the event in a way that maximizes face time between sponsors and attendees, giving them a great rate for the first year, or making them feel like they have a stake in the success of the event.
“I would say that transparency is going to be really important, and you should give them an opportunity to get in on the ground level,” Lewis said. “Maybe you make the sponsorship package really affordable and enticing the first year because you don’t know what to expect, and you don’t want to make promises that you can’t keep.”
Another trick that may help get the event off the ground via stakeholders is to bring in a partner organization to help assume some of that financial risk. Whether that’s a sister organization or a group with overlapping membership, partnerships can be another way for event organizers to test the waters.
Managing expectations of stakeholders — including event organizers — is also critical. From a financial standpoint, first-time events often break even or have minor losses, so making sure everyone involved has realistic expectations about the event’s outcomes will make sure there are no surprises or displeased stakeholders.
“In my experience, your first-time events, even when they’re a success, I’m not going to say they’re a guaranteed home run,” Fransen said. “So, you have to manage the expectations back at the early stages.”
Meetings with ROOM TO ROAM
Located in western Wyoming, just beyond Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Teton Mountains, Wind River Country is the place to go to get away from the crowds.
Dubois · Hudson · Lander · Riverton · Shoshoni
Wind River Indian Reservation
TM
PHOTO: GARY KUNIS
In Oxford, it’s hip to be around the square
BY VICKIE MITCHELL
In Oxford, Mississippi, everyone wants to hang around downtown’s courthouse square, where vintage storefronts house everything from restaurants run by top chefs and a nationally known independent bookstore to entrepreneurs hawking vinyl and bespoke blue jeans. Without doubt, the square is the exceptionally cool center of a town that’s home to almost as many college students as citizens. (21,596 to 27,000).
“We’re an anomaly in the state of Mississippi,” says Visit Oxford’s Nadia Thornton. “There’s not another community like us in the state.”
OXFORD’S VENUES
Weekends are often packed with University of Mississippi football and other sporting events, but Sundays through Thursdays are a definite opportunity for small meetings and conferences seeking a small town with a big personality. Many opt for hotels on or near the square.
The smallest is the Oliver Hotel of Oxford. A sister to the Oliver Hotel in Knoxville, it opened two summers ago with 40 guest rooms and a 2,000-square-foot ballroom that sparkles beneath six crystal chandeliers. Spaces like a book-filled library invite small gatherings.
Just off the square, the 136-room Graduate by Hilton Oxford cheers on the home team with Ole Miss memorabilia and remembers Oxford’s long literary tradition with bookish touches. It has 2,062 square feet of divisible meeting space.
There’s even an on-campus option that’s also within a couple blocks of the square — the 146-room Inn at Ole Miss. The 5,600-square-foot divisible ballroom that’s part of its 10,000-square-foot conference center has a balcony that overlooks downtown Oxford. Nearby, a Courtyard by Marriott offers additional guest rooms. Of course, not all conferences fit into boutique hotels. Oxford’s answer, a seven-minute drive from downtown, is the Oxford Conference Center. The 25,000 square foot conference facility includes a 4,000-square-foot lobby, a 280-seat auditorium and an 11,000-square-foot divisible ballroom. Three limited-service hotels across the street are Marriott and Hilton brands and offer a total of 286 guest rooms.
DON’T FORGET TO HIT THE SQUARE
Although staying downtown allows people to “park the car and walk everywhere,” no matter where attendees stay, they’ll want to spend time on the square, says Thornton. “Being a college town, we have a lively night life, with live music and bars that stay open late.” Evenings might mean dinner at the City Grocery, where chef/owner John Currence, a James Beard Award winner, orchestrates the kitchen, or drinks at Bar Muse, one of the country’s top bars, where the mixologist described by Thornton as a “mad scientist” crafts inventive cocktails. Shoppers make their way to Neilson’s, the South’s oldest department store; End of All Music, for vinyl records; and Blue Delta Blue Jeans, to be sized up for custom-made jeans. And of course, no one leaves the square without a stop at the much loved and lauded Square Books, or one of its spin-offs, also on the square: Square Books Jr., for kids; Off Square for lifestyle and used books; and Rare Square for, you guessed it, rare books. VISIT OXFORD
Nadia Thornton
Director of Sales and Marketing
662-232-2477
nadia@visitoxfordms.com visitoxfordms.com
CLASSROOMS WITH A VIEW
These college towns are known for spectacular scenery
BY RACHEL CRICK
Few things inspire focus and creativity like a room with a view — that’s why beautiful scenery and college campuses so often go hand in hand.
Campuses with mountain vistas, serene lakes and lush landscaping are especially inspiring settings for meetings and events. They combine the benefits typical of meeting at a college, such as access to advanced technology and educational speakers, with elegant backdrops that complement upscale events like banquets and receptions.
For their next meeting or event, planners should look to these scenic college campuses across the country.
AUBURN UNIVERSITY
AUBURN, ALABAMA
With its mix of historic and modern buildings jutting up against the city’s lovely and walkable downtown, Auburn University is a gem for meeting planners and attendees alike. That’s thanks to its beautifully landscaped grounds, burgeoning culinary scene and lively college-town culture, alongside its long list of events services and amenities.
“Auburn University’s campus offers a special blend of history and modern amenities that makes it the perfect backdrop for any meeting,” said Cat Bobo, communications and marketing director of Auburn-Opelika Tourism. “From iconic landmarks to the beautiful green spaces and the cutting-edge facilities, the campus creates an inspiring atmosphere.”
One of the campus’s most popular venues is The Hotel at Auburn University and Dixon Conference Center, colloquially known as the “Front Door of Auburn.” It has 22,000 square feet of event space, 236 guest rooms and 10 suites, all across the street from campus. Another frequently used venue, the Student Activities Center, has four event spaces, including a 1,099-seat auditorium.
In addition to its more traditional venues, there
Above: The Rane Culinary Science Center at Auburn University is a trendy event venue.
Courtesy Auburn-Opelika Tourism
are plenty of spaces that are perfect for off-sites. One of the newer and trendier venues on campus is the Rane Culinary Science Center, the center of the university’s hospitality program. It features The Laurel Hotel and Spa (a boutique, five-diamond hotel), a wine appreciation laboratory, a teaching restaurant, a rooftop garden, a food hall and plenty of event spaces. Planners can also arrange events at Neville Arena, the school’s picturesque Samford Lawn and the Auburn Alumni Center.
auburn.edu
OREGON STATE UNIVERSITY
CORVALLIS, OREGON
In the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Oregon State University is known for its engineering, forestry, environmental science and marine science programs. Its campus features lush landscapes, mountain views, and easy access to miles of hiking and biking trails, and a river for kayaking. For meetings and events in the Pacific Northwest, the university makes an ideal venue in an affordable destination.
In the heart of Oregon’s Willamette Valley, Oregon State University’s campus features lush landscapes, mountain views, and easy access to miles of hiking and biking trails, and a river for kayaking.
The university’s CH2M Hill Alumni Center is a 40,000-square-foot conference facility located just across the street from the Hilton Garden Inn. It’s home to the 7,000-square-foot Cascade Ballroom and can accommodate meetings of over 350 attendees. Smaller breakout rooms, such as the Willamette Room, are perfect for moderately sized meetings. Another popular option for events is the LaSells Stewart Center, the campus performing arts venue. Its Austin Auditorium can seat 1,200 guests, while a separate lecture hall can seat up to 200. In addition to other meeting rooms and a board room, it’s
Scenes from Auburn University, clockwise from left: The Laurel Hotel at the Rane Culinary Science Center; The Laurel Hotel bar; Auburn University campus
Courtesy Auburn-Opelika Tourism
CHAMPAIGN–URBANA, ILLINOIS
Located between Chicago, Indianapolis, & St. Louis
Home to the University of Illinois, a Big Ten powerhouse
Over 4,500 hotel rooms/240,000 sq. ft. of meeting space
Named the “Greatest Midwest Food Town”
Smartly affordable, brilliantly innovative
Schedule your site visit today! experiencecu.org/meetings
also home to Giustina Gallery, which is the center’s largest venue and can be used for receptions or ceremonies. Additional classrooms and lecture halls on campus can be reserved when not in use.
The university’s catering department can organize everything from plated dinners to small plates, and the conference services department can assist planners with site selection, hotel negotiation and even event marketing. conferences.oregonstate.edu
“It’s
a beautiful campus overlooking Cayuga Lake, next to gorges and waterfalls that add to the natural beauty of the area. It also has beautiful fall foliage and picturesque views and panoramas of the landscape.”
— Max Mandeville, Cornell University
By Lindsay France, courtesy Cornell University
WILLARD STRAIGHT HALL AT CORNELL UNIVERSITY
CORNELL UNIVERSITY
ITHACA, NEW YORK
Surrounded by the waterfalls and wineries of New York’s Finger Lakes region, Cornell University is as prestigious as it is scenic. This Ivy League university was founded in 1865, and its campus is adorned with historic architecture and natural scenery, including the Cornell Botanic Gardens.
“It’s a beautiful campus overlooking Cayuga Lake, next to gorges and waterfalls that add to the natural beauty of the area,” said Max Mandeville, senior conference and event planner for Cornell’s conference and event services department. “It also has beautiful fall foliage and picturesque views and panoramas of the landscape.”
This serene New York campus makes a stunning backdrop for meetings and events, with a wide selection of venues that meet the needs for every event, from elegant banquets and weddings to tech-focused trainings and lectures. The campus’s classrooms, museums and outdoor spaces double as venues, meaning there are hundreds of eligible spaces for planners to book. Some of the most commonly used venues
This is your welcome reception.
CORNELL’S A.D. WHITE HOUSE
By Sreang “C” Hok, courtesy Cornell University
IDEAS
include the Robert Purcell Community Center, with an auditorium for up to 127 and several breakout rooms; the A.D. White House, a Victorian villa with a total capacity of 150; and the Herbert F. Johnson Museum of Art, with panoramic views of Cayuga Lake.
The on-campus, 153-room Statler Hotel features 11,000 square feet of additional meeting space, including a 4,140-square-foot ballroom, an auditorium, a terrace restaurant and lounge, and breakout rooms. conferenceservices.cornell.edu
UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA TUCSON, ARIZONA
The University of Arizona was founded in Tucson in 1885 — 27 years before Arizona became a state. With its palm tree-lined streets and views of the mountains on all sides, the University of Arizona enjoys desert scenery and legendary sunsets common to the area.
“I’ve seen us do the most beautiful events here on campus, with views of the city of Tucson and University of Arizona venues, clockwise from left: The Environment and Natural Resources 2 Building Courtyard; Flandrau Planetarium; the ENR2 Building
what we call Tucson’s painted skies,” said Johnique Woods, associate director of event planning at the Arizona Student Unions. “We can compete with any venues around town or in other cities thanks to our Southwest flair and executive chefs.”
With its strong focus on science and technology, it should come as no surprise that the university’s meeting and event venues are also innovative. The Environment and Natural Resources 2 Building features a distinct and modern design centered around an outdoor courtyard, as well as a rooftop venue, café and several smaller lecture halls and meeting rooms. Bear Down Gym, named for the university’s rallying cry and motto, is another popular venue thanks to its recent renovation. The Health Sciences Innovation Building offers a modern, industrial-chic setting for everything from small meetings to large receptions, while the Flandrau Science Center and Planetarium is the perfect place for private planetarium shows, business presentations or educational meetings. arizona.edu
Courtesy University of Arizona
UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON MADISON, WISCONSIN
Located between Lake Mendota and Lake Monona, the University of Wisconsin-Madison is a research university known for its advances in medical and natural sciences, as well as its vibrant campus life. But its shoreline, historic architecture and gorgeous fall foliage make it one of the most scenic universities in the Midwest. It’s also an attractive market for meetings in the region, from overnight conferences and camps in the summer to single-day meetings and events year-round.
Some of the university’s largest event spaces can be found in the Gordon Dining and Event Center. These include the Symphony Room, with a capacity of 300, and the Overture, Concerto and Sonata rooms, which can be combined for a total capacity of 900. There’s also the Upper Gulley Program Room in the Carson Gulley Center, with space for 216, and the Lake Mendota Room in the Dejope
Residence Hall, which can seat 300. Additional conference rooms, classrooms and lounges can be used as breakout spaces for smaller meetings.
The university’s catering company can provide everything from buffets and breakfasts to boxed lunches and plated dinners for campus events. Most of the event spaces feature basic A/V, such as projectors and microphones, but additional tech and tech support can be provided upon request to accommodate virtual or hybrid meetings.
housing.wisc.edu
University of Wisconsin-Madison venues, clockwise from left: Pyle Auditorium; Tripp Commons; the Great Hall at Memorial Union
The shoreline, historic architecture and gorgeous fall foliage make the University of Wisconsin-Madison one of the most scenic universities in the Midwest.
Courtesy University of Wisconsin-Madison
As the 250th anniversary of our nation approaches, the Charlottesville area is the perfect place to host your next meeting.
Discover several meeting venues steps away from the University of Virginia’s Rotunda, part of the UNESCO World Heritage site, or find venues further afield within easy access to one of the area’s nearly 50 wineries along the Monticello Wine Trail.
visitcharlottesville.org/meetings
Mountain METRO
Groups meeting in Boise will find abundant outdoor recreation opportunities in the surrounding mountains.
All photos courtesy Visit Boise
Scenery and amenities define modern Boise
BBY ELIZABETH HEY
oise, Idaho, is a metropolitan hub flanked by mountains, fusing urban delights with the accessibility of nature. Contributing to the city’s vibrant energy, Boise State University lies on the banks of the Boise River. Given this proximity to nature, attendees can enjoy a thriving culinary and cultural scene in town and choose from kayaking, biking and hiking in warmer months or skiing when the snow flies.
CITY
BOISE AT A GLANCE
LOCATION: Southwest Idaho
ACCESS: Boise Airport, Interstate 84 (10 minutes from downtown Boise)
Boise’s downtown vibe exudes local flavor with abundant entertainment and nightlife options. The city’s culinary scene supports more than 100 restaurants and bars in a six-block area. More than 95 percent of downtown businesses are locally owned and operated, such as The Warehouse Food Hall, which features trivia nights, mixology events and live music. Winery and brewery hopping are popular around town.
One of downtown’s main features is Basque Block, which highlights immigrants from northern Spain and southwestern France who settled in the American West. The Basque Museum and Cultural Center, the only museum of its kind in the nation, showcases the area’s Basque heritage. The Basque Center stages traditional dance and music while establishments serve tapas, paella and Spanish wines.
“Visitors are surprised with how compact, safe and walkable our downtown is, even at night,” said Carrie Westergard, executive director of Visit Boise. “We have an overnight crew that regularly cleans our downtown and maintains the streetscape and flowerpots.”
Boise State University’s 2,000-seat Velma V. Morrison Center for the Performing Arts hosts Broadway shows, concerts and more. ExtraMile Arena is home to BSU basketball, wrestling, women’s gymnastics, community events and concerts. It has played host to many NCAA men and women’s basketball tournaments.
Opened in 1897, Julia Davis Park contains Zoo Boise, the Idaho State Museum, Boise Art Museum, Idaho Black History Museum and the Discovery Center of Idaho. Groups can also rent pavilions, play horseshoes and bocce ball or enjoy seasonal paddle boats. The Boise River Greenbelt, a paved pathway bisecting the city and paralleling the river, makes an ideal place to walk or bike.
After the Meeting
Seasonal whitewater trips with Cascade Raft and Kayak facilitate team building and bonding. “Ridge to Rivers” hiking and biking trails, five minutes from downtown, include Camel’s Back and Table Rock trails, easily manageable by hikers of all ability levels. Boise
Bicycle Tours showcases the city’s urban and rugged sides. At Bogus Basin, 16 miles from downtown, attendees can hike, navigate a ropes course, ride the chairlift or whisk down the slopes on a mountain coaster in the summer or ski come winter.
Back in town, Preservation Idaho’s walking tours take groups through downtown’s history and architecture, including its evolution from a goldrush boomtown. Tours highlight Boise’s historic Basque, German, Jewish and Chinese communities. Those with an artistic flare might head to Boise Art Glass and watch expert glassblowers at work. Custom events feature the chance to make a take-home souvenir, such as a glow-in-thedark pumpkin or hummingbird feeder.
“Treefort Music Hall is a new concert venue that hosts an annual music festival in March,” Westergard said. “Their rooftop lounge has great inside and outside spaces for receptions of up to 150 guests.”
Foodies will revel in Season and Taste cooking school’s timed culinary challenge. Tapas Bite Night, based on the popular TV series “Chopped,” provides a basket of mystery ingredients that attendees turn into something delicious. Or groups can join Indulge Boise’s culinary and cultural tours highlighting what Food & Wine magazine deemed one of the “Next Great Food Cities” in America.
AFTER HOURS
DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS
8th Street in downtown Boise
Cascade Raft and Kayak
Major Meeting Spaces
Boise’s premier meeting space, Boise Centre, hosts groups from 10 to 1,600 attendees in 86,000 square feet of exhibit space and a ballroom seating up to 800 guests. Of the 31 flexible meeting spaces, many offer views of the Boise foothills and city skyline. Expansive in-house catering focuses on sustainable, scratch-made fare.
“We have 13 hotels totaling more than 1,600 rooms within walking distance to Boise Centre,” Westergard said. “Even though we have four seasons, we have more than 250 days of sunshine each year, so walking is pleasant year-round.”
The 250-room Grove Hotel connects Idaho Central Arena and lies adjacent to Boise Centre. In addition to in-house catering and 14,000 square feet of meeting space, this property touts a newly remodeled 6,800-square-foot grand ballroom. Renovated, boutique-style rooms, the lauded Trillium restaurant and Grove Fitness Club and Spa, with an indoor pool, round out amenities.
Nestled on 14 acres, The Riverside Hotel parallels the Boise River Greenbelt, as well as local breweries, wineries, restaurants and parks. This 303room property offers 21,000 square feet of meeting space and in-house catering. Guests enjoy indoor and outdoor saltwater pools, a generous fitness suite and daily live music at three venues on property.
Luxurious and modern, Hotel Renegade’s AAA Four Diamond rating is well-deserved. The 122-room hotel offers 5,100 square feet of modern meeting space accompanied by chef-inspired menus. Amenities include a recently opened rooftop bar showcasing views of the Boise foothills and Owyhee Mountains, an on-site supper club, handcrafted coffee, and a dry bar.
Distinctive Venues
Barber Park Education and Event Center sits adjacent to the river about six miles from downtown. Stone and wood architecture harmonize with outdoor receptions, and indoor meetings can take place around a stone fireplace. Because the park serves as the boat put-in for the Boise River, summer meetings can be capped off with a float back downtown.
Idaho Botanical Garden provides beautiful outdoor settings for meetings, receptions and tented dinners. The garden’s Outlaw Field Summer Music Series hosts performers such as The Black Keys, Alison Krauss and Chicago.
“The gardens are a nice surprise close to downtown,” Westergard said. “With wide-open spaces and shaded locations, it’s perfect for receptions and dinners.”
The Basque Block can be closed off to accommodate several hundred attendees. Authentic dinners or receptions served by the Basque Market include large paellas, sometimes for 800 people or more. Wednesdays and Fridays year-round, groups can watch paella being prepared on the patio while noshing on tapas and sipping wine or frozen white sangria.
Across the river, the four-level BSU Stueckle Sky Center provides three banquet spaces. Each showcases fabulous views of the Boise bench, foothills and downtown skyline. The Double R Ranch Room overlooks Albertsons Stadium’s famous blue turf football field.
Interactive JUMP, located on the campus of the J.R. Simplot headquarters, offers problem-solving challenges for team building. Among its diversions is a spiral slide that zooms guests down five stories.
A COMMUNITY THAT CARES
ANatchez
Trace
TREASURE
BY ZACH CHOUTEAU
Ridgeland, Mississippi, offers attendees the best of both worlds. The small city of about 24,000 residents shows off the lush greenery of the Natchez Trace region and boasts an unexpected array of dining, retail and lodging options.
Ridgeland is just north of Jackson, the state capital and the state’s largest city, and sits on both Barnett Reservoir and the historic Natchez Trace Parkway. Explore Ridgeland President and CEO Chris Chapman said small groups and meetings are the specialty of the vibrant community. With 16 hotels and over 140 restaurants — and a wealth of award-winning chefs — Ridgeland’s culinary experience rivals that of much larger cities, Chapman said.
While its pastoral landscapes make Ridgeland feel far removed from metropolitan hustle and bustle, its locale smack dab in the center of Mississippi near the state capital makes it easily accessible, whether attendees are coming by plane or by car. Additionally, the community’s setting along the west shores of Barnett Reservoir offers scenic views aplenty, plus a gamut of opportunities for groups feeling outgoing and adventurous.
Another appealing aspect for attendees and planners alike is a layout that places most of Ridgeland’s lodgings within an easy stroll of the city’s six shopping districts and range of restaurants. The local nightlife presents plenty of after-hours fun, with live music around every corner and numerous options for attendees to cut loose after meetings and events. The team at Explore Ridgeland points out Pelican Cove Grill — a welcoming waterside restaurant — and the popular Shuckers Oyster Bar as two top picks. They also highly recommend the inviting Dogmud Tavern, with brews and lots of fun on tap, as groups can bond while playing one of the establishment’s 250-plus board games.
A MEETING AT THE AC HOTEL BY MARRIOTT JACKSON RIDGELAND
By Katie Coats, courtesy AC Hotel Jackson Ridgeland
Courtesy Explore Ridgeland
RIDGELAND MISSISSIPPI
Dynamic Downtime
For between-meetings fun — or an easy group excursion — Ridgeland is home to a pair of sprawling retail hubs that should offer something for every attendee to explore. Northpark Mall has a reputation as the state’s top indoor shopping hub and comprises more than 120 stores and outlets. The open-air shopping village Renaissance at Colony Park is a popular destination for dining and upscale merchants. Attendees can unwind at a day spa, kick back at a cantina with a margarita, or enjoy a movie and a meal at the Malco Renaissance Cinema Grill and Bar, which offers recliner seating and a full dining and wine menu.
A Swing at Group Fun
Whether planners are seeking top-notch team building or just a lively dining experience, Topgolf can tee up memorable group experiences. The all-weather venue means guests can golf rain or shine from the comfort of a lounge area, and chef-crafted catering menus are available for events. An endless array of draft beer, colorful cocktails — including shareable “Golfbags” that come in a take-home mug — and handheld pub fare make it easy to network while noshing. Another big bonus is the variety of group spaces planners can use, from a semi-private covered patio and lux group suites with customizable options (like A/V and a portable bar) to a lush nine-hole mini-golf course.
Courtesy Explore Ridgeland
Ridgeland
Eventful Settings
The shining star of event spaces is likely the Waller Craft Center, set along the Natchez Trace Parkway. The snazzy venue, operated by the Craftsmen’s Guild of Mississippi, is highlighted by a dramatic glass staircase and includes the opportunity for a venue buyout with capacity for 150 to 250 guests. Smaller affairs may consider the upstairs Harbor Room, with space for 50 to 75, and all events at the Waller held Monday through Thursday receive a 25% discount. Another intriguing possibility is The Stellar Venue, a stylish 3,000-square-foot blank canvas with vaulted ceilings and large windows that can be modified to suit any affair.
Hotel Haven
Planners bringing groups to Ridgeland have a wealth of lodgings to consider, including the Embassy Suites by Hilton Jackson North Ridgeland, with a ballroom that can host 310 and an intimate boardroom. The city is also home to a Residence Inn, a SpringHill Suites, two Hilton properties, a Hampton Inn and Suites and numerous other reliable name lodgings. One of the best choices for events is the AC Hotel Jackson Ridgeland, which has four meeting spaces, including a configurable ballroom that can host up to 64 attendees theater style. Another promising possibility is a Hyatt Place, with two meeting rooms that can be conjoined to host up to 85 attendees.
AN EVENT AT WALLER CRAFTS CENTER
Courtesy Explore Ridgeland
THE ARENA AT INNOVATION MILE IN NOBLESVILLE, WHICH WILL BE ABLE TO HOST EVENTS FOR UP TO 4,500, IS SCHEDULED TO OPEN THIS SUMMER.
New in Indiana
THE ARENA AT INNOVATION MILE Noblesville
The Arena at Innovation Mile is a publicly owned, multisport arena that is currently under construction in Noblesville, about 30 minutes north of Indianapolis. It is expected to be completed by June 1, with programming beginning August 1. The arena will have 3,500 fixed seats, most of which are retractable, and will be home to the recently rebranded Noblesville Boom — formerly known as the Mad Ants — the Indiana Pacers’ G-League affiliate, as well as hosting live music and entertainment, community events, and conferences.
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
Between 2024 and 2026, several communities in Indiana have opened, or plan to open, new meeting and event venues, with top-notch services and multiuse spaces, that will rival anything that the nearby urban centers have to offer. Here’s a look at five new meeting facilities around the Hoosier State.
The 120,000-square-foot arena can hold up to 4,500 people for a concert. The facility has panoramic windows and is easily accessible off Interstate 69. It is close to Hamilton Town Center and Ruoff Music Center, putting it in a strategic location to attract new businesses to the Innovation Mile. There is an in-house concessionaire that provides food for events and a full-service kitchen for catering purposes.
In addition to the arena floor, groups can rent out the Grand Hall, the grand entryway with large staircases as groups enter the building. The space works well for speaker engagements, cocktail parties or events tied into sporting events held at the arena. Corporate-bonding or team-building events on the court can pair cocktail parties with a game of horse or a three-point contest among attendees, or groups can host a speaker series along with dinner.
arenainnovationmile.com
Courtesy Arena at Innovation Mile
PEARL STREET ARTS CENTER
Fort Wayne
Opened in October 2024 at the east end of the historic Perfection Bakeries building on Main Street in Fort Wayne, Pearl Street Arts Center is a state-of-the-art community arts hub and off-site meeting venue in downtown. Operated by nonprofit Pearl Arts, the venue created a pedestrian district along Pearl Street connecting to The Pearl event center. It is just four blocks from the Grand Wayne Convention Center and across the street from The Bradley Hotel, The Landing Fort Wayne and Promenade Park.
Pearl Street Arts Center offers music lessons and entrepreneur programs, along with hosting performances and productions in its 400-seat auditorium.
Groups can rent the auditorium and two fully accessible classrooms, as well as public and performer amenities. Spaces are equipped with the latest audiovisual equipment, and there is a warming kitchen backstage for catered dinners and events. Meeting planners can choose from a preferred caterer list for their food and beverage offerings.
Pearl Street Arts Center has showers, a family restroom and dressing rooms available. The rentable spaces are all on one floor and easy to navigate via ramps, special needs parking spaces and wide doorways.
Groups under 100 can rent out the community hub and boardroom in back, and the auditorium can be used for catered dinners for up to 350 at round tables. There is commissioned artwork
Kokomo is in north-central Indiana, north of Indianapolis, but didn’t have a large meeting facility. That will change with the debut of the Kokomo Conference Center in summer 2026.
Courtesy Pearl Street Arts Center
A RENDERING OF THE COMING KOKOMO CONFERENCE CENTER
PEARL STREET ARTS CENTER
Courtesy Kokomo Conference Center
The Fishers Event Center opened to the public in November 2024. Announced in 2022, the 202,310-square-foot project anchors a nearly $550 million expansion of the Fishers District.
KOKOMO CONFERENCE CENTER AND HILTON GARDEN INN Kokomo
Kokomo is in north-central Indiana, north of Indianapolis. The city has a variety of hotels, restaurants, events and attractions, but it did not have a large meeting facility attached to a hotel, limiting the city’s ability to host state, regional and professional meetings and conferences.
That will change with the debut of the Kokomo Conference Center in summer 2026. The idea for a large conference center and hotel was first envisioned in 2013. Over the past decade, the Greater Kokomo Visitors Bureau and Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance led the effort to bring this facility to fruition. The project broke ground in August 2024 in the heart of downtown Kokomo, within walking distance of restaurants, shops, attractions, trails and public art.
Additional hotels are located within a five- to 10-minute drive of the facility. The 55,000-square-foot conference center will be able to accommodate events for more than 1,000 guests. The ballroom, which will be divisible into six smaller spaces using partitions, will be able to host 672 for a banquet and 1,080 theater style. There will also be six breakout rooms and a lower-level space available for events.
On the bottom level of the conference center, the Kokomo Automotive Museum will highlight Kokomo-built Haynes and Apperson automobiles. A 108-room Hilton Garden Inn will connect to the conference center via a pedestrian bridge and will feature an indoor pool, fitness center, restaurant and lounge. greaterkokomo.com
FISHERS EVENT CENTER
Fishers
The Fishers Event Center opened to the public in November 2024. Announced in 2022, the 202,310-square-foot project anchors a nearly $550 million expansion of the Fishers District lifestyle and entertainment destination. It features a 65,000-square-foot plaza that can be used for company picnics, pre-function gatherings, movie nights, sports watch parties or art festivals for up to 6,000.
The event center is the home of the Indy Fuel minor league ice hockey team, Fishers Freight professional indoor football team and Indy Ignite professional women’s volleyball team. It can accommodate 7,500 guests for a concert or sporting event. The 17,000-square-foot event floor can seat 300 to 2,000 for conferences, banquets or exhibitions. The south concourse on the second level can host up to 250 guests and features a built-in bar, a food service area, flexible space and great views of the event center.
The North Club on the second-level concourse also boasts a built-in bar, a food service area, high-top tables and great views of the event center. It can accommodate 175 guests. The Loge Club is 1,000 square feet and can hold 140 people. The Premium Club can host 100, while the group suites can host smaller groups of up to 45.
The event center is the largest midsize event facility in the region. The Fishers District has several restaurants, and the event center is close to the Smithsonian-affiliated Conner Prairie museum, Geist Waterfront Park and Topgolf. fisherseventcenter.com
THE LAWN AT FISHERS EVENT CENTER
Courtesy Fishers Event Center
FRENCH LICK RESORT
French Lick
Since the mid-1990s, French Lick Resort has undergone hundreds of millions of dollars in renovations to turn two run-down historic hotels into a luxury destination. The latest upgrades to the resort include turning a historic barn into a meeting venue for larger groups.
The barn was built near Springville, Indiana, in the mid-1800s, around the same time French Lick Springs Hotel and West Baden Springs Hotel got their start. It was moved from that property 40 miles away to a location next to the resort’s existing horse barn and the outdoor Stables Pavilion.
The Event Barn at the Stables was completely refurbished and painted white, and a wraparound deck was added to the outside. The facility can host groups of up to 250 for lunches, dinners, receptions, meetings and group events.
The resort is also refurbishing the Billiard and Bowling Pavilion at West Baden Springs Hotel. The hall first opened in 1917 but sat vacant and unused for at least 50 years. The facility includes a sixlane bowling alley and pool tables, as well as a pizzeria and a bar.
French Lick Resort has also added a nine-hole short course for all levels of golf. The Sand Creek Course is a true short course, with holes ranging from 35 to 90 yards that can be played in 75 minutes.
frenchlick.com
Photos courtesy Visit French Lick West Baden
THE ACCOMMODATIONS AND CASINO AT FRENCH LICK SPRINGS HOTEL
THE ATRIUM AT FRENCH LICK RESORT’S HISTORIC WEST BADEN SPRINGS HOTEL
Hoosier State Venues
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
Some of Indiana’s most significant meeting facilities are located in the state’s smaller cities and towns. For groups holding large events that require first-rate facilities, the following sites may be just the ticket.
olis and St. Louis. But the addition of the convention center has helped with that image. No buildings were knocked down to construct it, and there is a Hilton Garden Inn attached to it. There is another hotel across the street, and two more are being built within a half block of the center.
The convention center has a 12,500-square-foot ballroom that can be used as one room or broken down into six different spaces for group sessions. The full ballroom can seat 1,000 theater style or 700 at banquet rounds. There are seven other meeting rooms in the building that can hold groups up to 60 and a large pre-function space.
Catering is provided from a full-service kitchen with an executive chef, sous chef and banquet management team. Everything a meeting or event planner could need is provided in-house, including state-of-the-art audiovisual, an
THE BALLROOM AT THE TERRE HAUTE CONVENTION CENTER CAN ACCOMMODATE UP TO 700 PEOPLE AT BANQUET ROUNDS.
Courtesy Terre Haute Convention Center
expandable stage, a dance floor, screens, bar services, high-speed internet and wireless phone-charging stations.
There are 200 hotel rooms within walking distance of the convention center, and that number will soon double with the addition of two new hotels. The Larry Bird Museum, which opened in 2024, is attached to the building and showcases the life and accomplishments of the NBA star, who played college basketball at Indiana State University in Terre Haute.
terrehautecc.com
NORTHERN INDIANA EVENT CENTER
Elkhart
The Northern Indiana Event Center in Elkhart began as a way to bring the RV/MH Heritage Foundation Hall of Fame back to solvency after the 2008 market crash. The foundation maintains a hall of fame to honor leaders in the recreational vehicle and manufactured home industries, which are a significant part of the local economy. The foundation also keeps a library of over 20,000 industry publications and displays RVs and manufactured homes from different eras.
To increase revenue, the foundation began using one of its rooms as an event center. It is 17,500 square feet and could host up to 1,000 guests. Another space, Champion Hall, is more like a ballroom, with chandeliers and 4,500 square feet of space.
Since that time, the organization has added a 21,000-squarefoot all-season pavilion on the eastern side of its property and 1 million square feet of parking. The pavilion has been open for two years. The 36,000-square-foot East Wing Convention Hall can hold 2,500 guests seated at banquet tables and double that number for standing events.
All the rooms are set up as blank canvases, so meeting planners can arrange them to their own specifications. The entire campus is 40 acres. The facility does not have a full kitchen, but it does have a preferred caterer.
rvmhhalloffame.org
KRUSE PLAZA
Auburn
A private event facility just south of Auburn and about an eight-minute drive from Fort Wayne, Kruse Plaza was originally built as a car museum. It was converted into an event venue in 2019 and began serving clients in 2020.
The Larry Bird Museum, which opened in 2024, is attached to the Terre Haute Convention Center and showcases the life and accomplishments of the NBA star.
Courtesy Terre Haute Convention Center
A BOARDROOM AT THE TERRE HAUTE CONVENTION CENTER
Courtesy Northern Indiana Event Center
NORTHERN INDIANA’S RV/MH HERITAGE FOUNDATION HALL OF FAME
Meeting Guide
Kruse Plaza offers three large meeting rooms and several smaller rooms in its 200,000 square feet of space. The Ballroom is a rustic, industrial, 20,000-square-foot event space with high ceilings, natural light and access to the courtyards. The Hangar offers 30,000 square feet of exhibition space with an open layout that is perfect for trade shows or large corporate events. It can host 1,350 guests for a banquet or 2,500 theater style. The Abby is a unique, 14,000-square-foot venue with wood-paneled walls that can accommodate up to 400 for a banquet. There are two smaller spaces, the Gallery and the Institute, that can each seat 100 for a banquet or 150 for a breakout session.
Four outdoor venues can host between 200 and 500 theater style. The facility’s event planners coordinate every detail of events held there, from the food to the look, décor and schedule. Groups can work with the venue’s in-house caterer or approved outside caterers. Clients that book an event are invited to a catering showcase where they can sample entrees, appetizers, side dishes, desserts and snacks to determine the menus they want to offer.
kruseplaza.com
RIBBON TOWN CONFERENCE AND EVENT CENTER South Bend
Ribbon Town Conference and Event Center is part of Four Winds Casino South Bend, located along U.S. Highway 31 just minutes from South Bend International Airport. It features 24,000 square feet of flexible meeting
The Hangar at Kruse Plaza offers 30,000 square feet of exhibition space with an open layout that is perfect for trade shows or large corporate events.
The Facilities, The Lodging The Fun ... Just Perfect!
Located along the Ohio River directly adjacent to Ohio and Kentucky, our proximity to Cincinnati means we’re close to big-city amenities with all of the meeting customization and service a smaller location can provide.
Home to Hollywood Casino and the Lawrenceburg Event Center, we’re ideal for small and mid-size meetings and conventions of all types, offering:
✦ Large, customizable meeting and event space
✦ 15 miles to the Cincinnati International Airport
✦ 468 hotel rooms
✦ Walkable Main Street offering casino gaming, destination dining, entertainment options, historic tours, riverfront access, outdoor recreation, trails, winery/brewery properties, and more
Ready to get started? Scan the QR code to the right!
CLASSIC CARS ON DISPLAY AT KRUSE PLAZA
space, including a large ballroom, 11 separate conference rooms offering state-of-the-art audiovisual capabilities and two executive boardrooms.
The nearly 9,000-square-foot ballroom is a versatile, pillar-free space that can host 600 for a banquet or 925 theater style. The room can be divided into two or three separate spaces and is connected to 7,010 square feet of pre-function space and a large patio that can accommodate 100 for a reception. The conference rooms can be joined together to accommodate meeting groups or banquets of 10 to 120 guests.
All food and beverages must be purchased from Four Winds Casino. The property offers several options for meals, including snack breaks, buffets, boxed lunches, hors d’oeuvres, plated meals and food stations.
The casino, which opened in 2018, has gaming, bars and restaurants, including a steakhouse and buffet. Entertainment is offered throughout the property, including the hotel lobby, Kankakee Grille, C Bar and Copper Rock Bar. The attached hotel has 317 guest rooms and 83 suites.
Nearby attractions include the Studebaker National Museum, Warren Dunes State Park, the Hesston Steam Museum and Fernwood Botanical Garden.
fourwindscasino.com/southbend
The nearly 9,000-squarea is a versatile, pillar-free space. The room can be divided into two or three separate spaces and is connected to 7,010 square feet of pre-function space.
A MEETING ROOM AT RIBBON TOWN CONFERENCE AND EVENT CENTER
FOUR WINDS CASINO SOUTH BEND
Photos courtesy Four Winds Casino South Bend
What do your guests take with them when they leave your meeting? In Evansville, it could be an art enthusiast discovering we have a rare Picasso Gemmail exhibit at the Evansville Museum, or a foodie and history lover who discovers a craft burger in an old Greyhound Bus station at Bru Burger. Evansville answers that question, with experiences that go beyond our walkable convention district with world-class
MONROE CONVENTION CENTER
Bloomington
The Monroe Convention Center is in the heart of downtown Bloomington, with its historic courthouse square, dining, shopping and nightlife. The building the houses the convention center was built in 1923 and served as a Ford Model T assembly plant, repair shop and showroom for Graham Motor Sales. It became a convention center in 1991, and its most recent renovation took place in 2012. The current building has nearly 21,000 square feet of event space, but the facility is close to breaking ground on an expansion project that will more than double its space to nearly 48,000 square feet.
The goal of the expansion is to host larger groups that had to be turned away in the past because they needed additional space for breakout sessions and exhibits. The expansion is being built across the street from the current building and will be connected via a skywalk. The new space will be a 27,000-square foot exhibit hall that can be divided in several different ways, depending on the group.
The new addition will break ground this summer. Once the addition is built, the current building will be closed for renovation. The entire project is scheduled for completion by summer 2027. A Courtyard by Marriott is attached to the convention center, and five other hotels are located within a five-block radius of the facility. Plans are being drawn up to build a new convention hotel with at least 200 rooms that will either be connected to the convention center or will be built next door. bloomingtonconvention.com
Meet in Terre Haute, Indiana
The Monroe Convention Center has nearly 21,000 square feet of event space, the facility is close to breaking ground on an expansion project that will more than double its space to nearly 48,000 square feet.
Photos courtesy Monroe Convention Center
MONROE CONVENTION CENTER
Indiana’s Small Towns
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
In the Hoosier State, small is beautiful. Meeting planners wanting to escape large urban centers should look no further than these five small Indiana destinations, which offer state-of-the-art meeting venues, quality lodging and plenty of history, culture, food and outdoor adventures to keep attendees occupied during their free time.
cial revolves around its proximity to the water. Travelers come from around the world to watch professional offshore racing on the lake or to visit Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, which became a national park in 2019. Groups hosting events in the city can enjoy miles of Lake Michigan beaches in the park, climb the sand dunes or explore the woodlands, rivers, bogs and wetlands that make up the destination.
The largest meeting and event venue in the area is the Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa. It offers 65,000 square feet of gaming, including slot machines and table games, as well as 486 guest rooms and suites spread between the Spa Blu Tower and Blue Chip Tower.
The Stardust Event Center offers 20,000 square feet of event space, including the 11,000-square-foot Fremont Ballroom with its 3,800-square-foot pre-function space, or the Orleans Ballroom, which can host up to 320 guests. Sam’s Town Ballroom on the second floor of the pavilion can
SHADY CREEK WINERY IS ONE OF MANY ATTRACTIVE VENUES IN MICHIGAN CITY, A DESTINATION ON THE BANKS OF LAKE MICHIGAN.
Courtesy Visit Michigan City La Porte
accommodate up to 220 or can be broken into three smaller rooms.
In total, Michigan City has 2,040 hotel rooms and an equal number of third-party vacation rental offerings. Groups meeting in the area can take a sunset cruise on Lake Michigan, walk down the pier to see the city’s famous lighthouse, tour the Friendship Botanic Gardens or visit the Hesston Steam Museum.
michigancitylaporte.com
CORYDON
As Indiana’s first state capital, Corydon is steeped in history, from the only Civil War battle fought in the state in 1863 to the writing of Indiana’s first constitution. It is only 30 minutes from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport. There are two small wineries in the foothills of Harrison County where meeting groups can host off-site events: Best Vineyards Winery and Distillery and Turtle Run Winery. Both offer wine tastings, tours and free outdoor concerts during the warmer months.
Caesars Southern Indiana Hotel and Casino — 20 miles from Corydon — is the largest full-service venue in the area, with 503 guest rooms and 24,000 square feet of event space, including several breakout rooms, that can accommodate groups of up to 1,500. It offers on-site catering services, a full bar and lounge, audiovisual services and wireless internet.
The Harrison County Fairgrounds is another option for meetings or events. The Windell Agricultural Building includes a stage and sound system and works well for banquets and award programs, receptions, concerts and fundraising events. The 4-H Pavilion is an open-air pavilion that can be used for an outdoor dining event.
Five other hotels in the area can handle overflow from events held at Caesars.
For fun, groups can enjoy the breathtaking scenery of O’Bannon Woods State Park or take an 80-minute tour of Indiana Caverns that includes a 25-minute underground boat ride. The caverns also offer Deep Darkness tours, where visitors kayak a stream 200 feet underground.
thisisindiana.org
There are two small wineries in the foothills of Harrison County where meeting groups can host off-site events: Best Vineyards Winery and Distillery and Turtle Run Winery. Both offer wine tastings and tours.
Courtesy Visit Michigan City La Porte
HESSTON STEAM MUSEUM
Courtesy HCCVB
CORYDON CAPITOL STATE HISTORIC SITE
JEFFERSONVILLE
Directly across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky, Jeffersonville offers small-town charm with big-city amenities. It has a walkable, historic downtown and a rich shipbuilding history. Falls of the Ohio State Park is a top attraction with its ancient fossil beds and historic sites.
The Sheraton Louisville Riverside Hotel in Jeffersonville offers 180 rooms on the Ohio Riverfront, delivering fantastic views of downtown Louisville. It has 7,428 square feet of meeting space, the largest being the Riverside Ballroom, which can hold 165 for a banquet or 300 theater style. Four smaller rooms can be used for groups of 55 to 80 theater style, and there are two boardrooms.
A historic building on Spring Street houses 300 Spring, an event venue. Located at the base of the Big Four Bridge, a pedestrian walkway that ties the city to downtown Louisville, it offers both indoor and outdoor event spaces and can host groups of up to 400.
The Carriage House sits on the 2.5-acre campus of the Howard Steamboat Museum. It can accommodate groups of 130. The building is tied into the property’s shipbuilding past and features wooden floors and a large ship helm hanging on the wall. The museum sits on the Ohio River, offering great views of the water, and groups can organize a tour of the museum as part of their event.
Groups meeting in the area should visit Schimpff’s Confectionery, a 134-year-old candy store downtown that still makes candy by hand. The store offers candy-making demonstrations and tours of its Candy Museum.
gosoin.com
Groups meeting in the area should visit Schimpff’s Confectionery, a 134-year-old candy store downtown that still makes candy by hand.
Photos courtesy Clark-Floyd Counties CTB FALLS OF THE OHIO STATE PARK
THE VINTAGE FIRE MUSEUM IN JEFFERSONVILLE
FOR PLANNERS:
» Full in-house Sales, Event Management, AV Technology, F&B, and Host services
» 225,000 sf of beautifully appointed space
» 18 versatile, fully appointed event spaces and intuitive floor plans
» 4 downtown full service comfortable hotels with garage parking
» Boutique shopping; live entertainment; vibrant arts & attractions
» R iverfront parks, trails, and activities for all ages and abilities
» Easy M idwest drive-to destination; Easy by air via FWA
Meagan Drabik Sales Manager
SHIPSHEWANA
Shipshewana in Northern Indiana has the third-largest population of Amish in the nation. Visitors from around the world come to the town to take buggy rides, tour Amish farms, buy handcrafted Amish products and eat home-cooked food. During their events, meeting attendees can enjoy the culture, hearty food, quiet surroundings and shopping.
The Shipshewana Auction and Flea Market attracts 700 vendors every Tuesday and Wednesday, May through September, selling everything from locally made products to bulk items. Local antique auctions take place on off days.
The Blue Gate Garden Inn and Conference Center is the largest full-service hotel in the area, with 155 guest rooms and 15,000 square feet of customizable event space in the conference center and Shipshewana Town Center. The facility can host functions for up to 1,000 guests. The Michiana Event Center offers over 150,000 square feet of space under one roof, with an indoor equine driving arena and concert auditorium. There is also a 100,000-square-foot trade show and expo area for conventions. The 151-room Farmstead Inn and Conference Center, across from the flea market, has 6,200 square feet of meeting space that can accommodate 400 for a banquet.
Many meeting planners incorporate experiences into their events, such as dinner at the Blue Gate Restaurant and Bakery and tickets to a concert at the Blue Gate Theatre, or tours of a family-owned farm.
visitshipshewana.org
SOUTH SHORE
Many smaller communities, including Valparaiso, Hammond, Munster and Gary, make up the South Shore area of Indiana. The area has several chain hotels, as well as some unique event spaces. The Indiana Welcome Center in Hammond has a 6,500-squarefoot exhibit hall, 110-seat theater and an executive boardroom.
Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana in Gary features 20,000 square feet of event space that can accommodate 1,700 seated and 2,600 standing. The casino has 1,700 slot machines, 80 table games, a sportsbook, five restaurants and two bars, making it a destination in its own right.
The Center for Visual and Performing Arts in Munster has 72,660 square feet of space for meetings, banquets, dinners or theater performances. The space can host up to 500 in the dining room, and smaller spaces can hold up to 100.
The Farmhouse Restaurant and Conference Center at Fair Oaks Farm can host a banquet for 220 in the Fair Oaks Ballroom, 100 in the John Newton Ballroom and dinner for 60 in the William Jasper Ballroom. The Feed Barn can host 100 for a banquet and 200 theater style. The destination also offers farm tours for groups and a large, interactive museum dedicated to dairy farming.
In Valparaiso, Journeyman Distillery’s “American Factory” building spans 140,000 square feet of event space, from elegant to casual, and can accommodate parties for up to 1,200.
southshorecva.com
Shipshewana in Northern Indiana has the third-largest population of Amish in the nation. Visitors from around the world come to to tour Amish farms and buy handcrafted Amish products.
Courtesy South Shore CVA
Healdsburg: A bespoke Sonoma County town with a warm heart
BY VICKIE MITCHELL
On a sunny day in Northern California, downtown Healdsburg looks like small-town America. Its town square is bordered by brick storefronts, some dating to the 1800s. At the center sits Healdsburg Plaza, its gazebo ready for musicians, trees providing shade.
But look closer, and you’ll see some sights not typical for a town of 11,000 people. Multiple restaurants with glowing Michelin stars. Boutique hotels and high-end inns. Dozens of wine tasting rooms. Boutique shops and art galleries seen nowhere else, all locally owned thanks to a city ordinance that keeps chains out of downtown.
Still, despite the posh, this small town in Sonoma County’s wine country stays grounded. It’s proof, says Jessica Bohon of Stay Healdsburg, that a place can be cool, without being cold. “The community has a high-end elevated feel, but it is not pretentious. It’s luxury, with a heart.”
Healdsburg’s wealth of fine everything — dining, accommodations, shopping, wine — appeals to many, and it’s particularly well suited to small meetings designed to impress or pamper participants. Everything a group desires is distilled in a dozen blocks devoid of high rises or 200-room hotels.
Instead, meetings settle in at classics like the 55-room Hotel Healdsburg, with its Dry Creek Kitchen, opened by celebrity chef Charlie Palmer more than 20 years ago. Or, starting this summer when it reopens, the expanded and improved Duchamp Healdsburg. Just off the square, the former six-suite hotel will now have 20 rooms and additional event space.
SONOMA COUNTY DINING
After meetings end, food and drink are within an easy walk. Given Sonoma County’s agricultural heritage, it’s not surprising that nearly all are farm-to-table. Among the popular stops are Barndiva,
with multiple private dining spaces and a roomy, lush garden bar, or the newer Matheson, with its ground-floor dining room, rooftop bar and events space on the floor in between. Both are Michelin award winners. Other award winners include SingleThread, where Sonoma produce and products meet Japanese techniques, and Little Saint, a plant-based restaurant from the creators of SingleThread with an entire upper floor and balcony for events and concerts.
Sonoma County has about 400 wineries, 60 within minutes of Healdsburg, so wine flows generously at restaurants, bars and at the tasting rooms, where walking tours of downtown make stops for wine and food pairings.
BEYOND DOWNTOWN HEALDSBURG
Beyond downtown, more moderately priced hotels, as well as two upscale resort properties add more options for meetings. The Montage Healdsburg, opened four years ago 11 minutes from the Plaza, has views of vineyards from its 130 bungalow-style guest rooms and 25,000 square feet of meeting and event space. It soon will have a new neighbor, Appellation Healdsburg, part of Charlie Palmer’s Appellation Hotels group. Set to open this summer, the luxury hotel’s 108 guest rooms are spread among a dozen buildings; there’s also a
spa, a rooftop bar and 15,500 square feet of event space.
ADD-ON EXPERIENCES
Because Healdsburg’s hotels are small and personal, they tend to help planners connect with tour companies whose goal is to give groups a literal taste of Sonoma County. Guided winery tours are always popular, aboard buses or on e-bikes for almost effortless journeys along country roads. Tours often focus on smaller wineries, whose owners are happy to talk and whose wines are notable but not always widely available.
And of course, wineries aren’t the only way to experience Sonoma’s agricultural acumen. Tours of a flower farm can be paired with a flower arranging class and picnic lunch. Kayaking down the Russian River is a way to stretch after a day of sitting in sales meetings. Like wine, olive oil can test the tastebuds or dive into a blind steak testing at the renowned Journeyman Meat Company. All in all, Healdsburg delivers the authentic experiences travelers seek. “People want to feel like they are part of the community, and that’s what they experience here,” says Bohon.
GETTING THERE
San Francisco International and Oakland International are about a 90-minute drive south depending on traffic. Ten minutes from downtown Healdsburg, Charles M. Schultz Sonoma County Airport has nonstop flights to L.A. and other California cities as well as Seattle, Portland and Las Vegas on Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Avelo.
Waterfront California
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
California is known for its temperate weather, its palm trees and its beautiful coastline. Meeting groups wanting to tap into all these things can host events in these five waterfront destinations.
with plenty of aquatic activities to choose from.
The historic Hotel del Coronado is wrapping up a $550 million renovation that is restoring the resort to its original 1888 blueprints. The hotel has 938 rooms in five neighborhoods and offers meeting spaces throughout the property, many of them coastal and some with private beaches. Because the beaches are private, groups can host events there, such as polo games or circuses, that wouldn’t be welcome on mainland beaches. The Crown Room is the hotel’s most notable venue. It is a wooden building that was constructed with no nails but still has access to state-of-the-art technology.
The 440-room Loews Coronado Bay Resort is off the beaten path on the Silver Strand, a narrow strip of land with the road that connects San Diego to Coronado Island. The hotel is surrounded by water, with one side of the resort overlooking San Diego Bay and the other side overlooking the Pacific Ocean. It also has great meeting spaces.
LOEWS CORONADO BAY RESORT SITS ON A NARROW STRIP OF LAND BETWEEN SAN DIEGO AND CORONADO ISLAND.
Courtesy Discover Coronado
The 330-room Coronado Island Marriott Resort and Spa on the bayfront faces downtown San Diego. It has its own pier, and guests can take private boats or water taxis across the bay to San Diego. The hotel also offers beautiful views of the San Diego skyline and the famous Coronado Bridge. In addition to its indoor ballrooms, the Marriott has two bayfront lawns that make incredible outdoor meeting venues.
For fun, groups can do glow-in-the-dark paddleboarding, yoga on a yacht, wine tastings on the water or boating excursions. Groups can take e-bike tours of the island, organize competitive pickleball tournaments or take sandcastle-building classes.
discovercoronado.com
SANTA CRUZ
Located on the northern edge of Monterey Bay, about 75 miles south of San Francisco, Santa Cruz features beaches, a long wharf and a beach boardwalk with vintage amusement park rides. It is also just a short drive to Natural Bridges State Beach and redwood forests.
Groups hosting events in the area can incorporate beach cleanups, art workshops, redwood zip-line adventures or even surfing lessons. The Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is a great location for team building, large group outings or evening events. Cocoanut Grove is a conference center attached to the Boardwalk with 20,000 square feet of event space.
The newest full-service hotel in the area, La Bahia Hotel and Spa, will open in September. It is a luxury beachfront facility with over 13,000 square feet of event space, including a large ballroom and a seaside rooftop deck for panoramic ocean views.
Chaminade Resort and Spa is a secluded mountaintop retreat with 12,000 square feet of meeting space, spa services and redwood forest trails. Hotel Paradox in downtown Santa Cruz has 8,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space, and Hilton Santa Cruz/Scotts Valley is a wooded escape with 7,000 square feet of event space near redwood parks and Silicon Valley.
Attendees can rent kayaks or paddleboards in Monterey Bay and book sailing charters or surf lessons. Santa Cruz Wharf is a prime spot for hosting a group dinner, and whale-watching tours are popular.
santacruz.org
Santa Cruz features beaches, a long wharf and a beach boardwalk with vintage amusement park rides. It is also just a short drive to Natural Bridges State Beach and redwood forests.
By Paul Schraub, courtesy Visit Santa Cruz Co.
A BEACH BONFIRE IN SANTA CRUZ
Courtesy See Monterey
MONTEREY CONVENTION CENTER
MONTEREY
Monterey is famous for its Monterey Bay Aquarium, its beautiful coastal and mountain scenery, and its plethora of waterfront activities.
Groups hosting events in the city like to include team-building activities, such as whale-watching cruises, kayaking out to the sea kelp beds to get up close with the sea otters, snorkeling or scuba diving in Monterey Bay’s Blue Canyon, or going out on Monterey Bay Eco Tours’ electric-powered catamarans.
A Taste of Monterey offers local wine tastings during the day with scenic ocean views and makes a fun spot for an evening event. The venue also offers team-building activities, such as wine and food pairing or a winemaking experience where teams work together to produce the best Bordeaux blend.
Monterey Bay Aquarium can host evening events in the Open Sea and Kelp Forest exhibits, or groups can book the entire aquarium for an evening event for up to 2,000 guests.
Several venues can accommodate groups of 200 to 1,000 guests, including Monterey Conference Center, with more than 40,000 square feet of space that can host groups up to 1,700. The Monterey Marriott and Portola Hotel and Spa are connected to the Conference Center, and Hotel Pacific is adjacent. Asilomar Hotel and Conference Grounds features 65,000 square feet of event space for up to 650 guests.
Several smaller venues welcome groups under 100 guests, including The Sanctuary Beach Resort, La Playa Hotel, Carmel Mission Inn, Quail Lodge and Bernardus Lodge and Spa. seemonterey.com
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
Lake Tahoe is the second deepest lake in the U.S., covering 191 square miles. It is known for its crystal-clear water and the surrounding mountains. The cities of Lake Tahoe and South Lake Tahoe are rare in that they straddle state lines. One half of the city is in Nevada, and the other half is in California, but guests visiting the area don’t realize they are constantly crossing between the two.
Meeting planners wanting to host events on the California side of the lake have several nice options. Margaritaville Resort Lake Tahoe has 399 guest rooms and 14,000 square feet of event space right on the lake. The largest meeting venue in Lake Tahoe, Tahoe Blue Event Center, is on the Nevada side of the city but less than a mile from Margaritaville. The event center opened three years ago and features 143,000 square feet of convention and exhibition space overlooking Heavenly Ski Resort. The Beach Retreat and Lodge has 261 rooms and 8,200 square feet of meeting space.
Camp Richardson Resort is a historic property on the south shore of Lake Tahoe that can host groups of 60 to 100. Basecamp Tahoe South has 73 guest rooms and several event spaces that can accommodate smaller groups of 40 to 200 guests or an outdoor reception for 900 on the Mountainview Deck. The Coachman Hotel has 101 guest rooms and some smaller meeting spaces.
A gondola takes visitors to the top of Heavenly Ski Resort, or they can walk from Heavenly Village to Van Sickle Bi-State Park with trails that go around the rim of the Tahoe basin. The M.S. Dixie II paddle wheeler can host groups of 500 for a cruise on the lake, and there are guided kayak tours on the south shore. Tahoe is also close to three ski resorts. visitlaketahoe.com
A
gondola takes visitors to the top of Heavenly Ski Resort, or they can walk from Heavenly Village to Van Sickle Bi-State Park.
A GOLF COURSE IN SOUTH LAKE TAHOE
By Rachid Dahnoun, courtesy Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority
HUNTINGTON BEACH
Huntington Beach has 10 miles of uninterrupted coastline and wide sandy beaches. Four oceanfront resorts are steps from the beach and boardwalk. They offer 1,400 guest rooms and 185,000 square feet of meeting space among them.
Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach Resort and Spa has four ballrooms, the largest of which is 20,000 square feet and can host 1,440 for a banquet. It also has several smaller meeting rooms and three courtyards for hosting outdoor events. The Waterfront Beach Resort has more than 50,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting spaces — many overlooking the Pacific Ocean — and can accommodate up to 650 guests.
Paséa Hotel and Spa features an 8,400-square-foot ballroom and a 14,600-square-foot Ocean Lawn and Terrace with ocean views. It also features several smaller rooms with a more traditional meeting setup. The Kimpton Shorebreak Huntington Beach Resort has 22 meeting rooms, including a 3,000-squarefoot ballroom that can host 190 for a banquet.
Groups staying in any of these four beachfront destinations can take surfing or paddleboard lessons, cruise Huntington Harbour on a private wine charter, and end the day with a beach bonfire and s’mores. Huntington Beach Pier is one of the longest piers on the West Coast, and a visit to the area wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Huntington Beach International Surfing Museum, which boasts the world’s largest surfboard.
surfcityusa.com
Huntington Beach has 10 miles of uninterrupted coastline and wide sandy beaches. Four oceanfront resorts are steps from the beach and boardwalk.
THE HUNTINGTON BEACH PIER
Photos courtesy Visit Huntington Beach
OUTDOOR DINING ON HUNTINGTON BEACH
BE INSPIRED. BE CONNECTED.
BE HERE.
Huntington Beach offers endless possibilities for hosting your next meeting or event, with over 198,400 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space across four world-class oceanfront resorts and several beachside venues, all within a walkable one-mile radius.
KIMPTON SHOREBREAK RESORT
157 Guestrooms & Suites
12,349+ sq. ft of Indoor/Outdoor Event Space
Destination Guide
PASÉA HOTEL & SPA
250 Guestroom & Suites
36,025+ sq. ft. of Indoor/Outdoor Event Space
Explore everything Huntington Beach has to offer.
Access our Destination Guide and start planning your event today.
THE WATERFRONT BEACH RESORT, A HILTON HOTEL
437 Guestrooms & Suites
50,000+ sq. ft. of Indoor/Outdoor Event Space
HYATT REGENCY HUNTINGTON BEACH RESORT AND SPA
519 Guestrooms & Suites
100,000+ sq. ft. of Indoor/Outdoor Event Space
Destination Incentive Program
Host your next group in Huntington Beach and earn up to $5,000 in incentives- endless opportunities await!
Meet California’s Cultures
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
California is a cornucopia of cultures.
The Golden State has been shaped over the centuries by Native American, Mexican, Asian and even Danish influences, and these cultures continue to shine through in California destinations. Meeting groups can make the most of the state’s diverse ethnic heritage and cultures in these five cities.
With traditional wooden architecture and large windmills, visitors would assume they are in Denmark rather than a small enclave in the United States. The village was founded in 1911 by a group of Danish-American educators as a way of preserving and celebrating Danish culture.
Because of the temperate weather year-round, meeting groups can host events both indoors and out. The Elverhoj Museum of History and Art documents the history of Solvang, celebrates the city’s Danish culture and the Danish-American immigrant experience. The gallery space can seat 60 people for film screenings or panel discussions, and the museum, which was a historic home, has a lawn in back for outdoor events of up to 100 guests.
The California Nature Art Museum, which is home to Lulu Hyggelig, Thomas Dambo’s first permanent troll sculpture in California, also features smaller meeting rooms. The Solvang Festival Theater, which is entirely open air, can seat 700 for private events.
DANISH HERITAGE IS PROUDLY CELEBRATED THROUGHOUT THE TOWN OF SOLVANG.
By Central Coast Pictures, courtesy Visit Solvang CA
There are about 800 hotel rooms in Solvang and several full-service properties, including Corque Hotel, with 122 rooms and 7,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. Alisal Ranch has 73 guest rooms and meeting spaces to accommodate any size group. The Landsby has 51 rooms and beautiful event spaces.
Solvang’s walkable downtown is full of brightly painted, half-timbered buildings that house Danish bakeries, shops and eateries. Solvang Trolley and Carriage Company offers private group tours via horse-drawn carriages or horseless vehicles.
solvangusa.com
SANTA ANA
Founded in 1869, Santa Ana is one of the oldest cities in Orange County and one that still has original architecture in its historic downtown. The city’s population is 77% Hispanic, and Santa Ana is known for its Hispanic heritage celebrations, including Fiestas Patrias, Chicano Heritage Festival, Dia de Los Muertos festivals and Tamalfest. On the first Saturday of every month, Cielo in the Streets takes place downtown with free salsa lessons and dancing throughout the evening.
The city has an extensive collection of murals. Beginning with the Chicano movement of the 1960s, artists began painting massive works of art that commemorate the city’s multicultural heritage.
Santa Ana hotels provide 42,000 square feet of meeting space. Embassy Suites by Hilton Santa Ana Orange County Airport is one of the largest, with 301 suites and meeting space that can host up to 320 for a banquet and 380 in a theater setup. Other full-service hotels include Courtyard Santa Ana Orange County, Holiday Inn Express and Suites Santa Ana, and Hotel Zessa Orange County Airport, a DoubleTree by Hilton.
Unique venues include The Yost, a historic theater built in 1912 that serves as a special event venue; The 1912 in the heart of downtown, offering vaulted ceilings and an open floor plan; and The Green Parrot Villa, a Spanish-style villa and Mexican restaurant that offers indoor and open-air settings.
For fun, attendees can shop at Alta Baja Market and Collective 2One9 or sample Santa Ana’s diverse dining with the city’s Michelada Guide and Culinary Passport.
travelsantaana.com
SONOMA
Sonoma is known for its wineries, but many people don’t know that the area was settled by the Spanish, who brought their missions, culture and Catholic churches to the area. Mission San Francisco Solano, founded in 1823, is part of Sonoma State Historic Park. It was the 21st and last Spanish mission built in Northern California, during the Mexican independence period. Groups can take a self-guided tour of the mission building, chapel and courtyard to catch a glimpse of what life was like during that period. It is also available for events.
The mission is at the northern edge of an eight-acre plaza that is laid out in the Spanish style, with a park and several historic
Courtesy Travel Santa Ana
Courtesy Travel Costa Mesa
COSTA MESA’S OC JAPAN FAIR
FIESTA PATRIAS IN SANTA ANA
buildings encircling it. The plaza also has restaurants, wine tasting rooms, bars and shopping.
The Lodge at Sonoma is the largest hotel property in town, with a ballroom that can accommodate up to 300 and the Stone Building and Lawn, which can host up to 200, as well as several smaller meeting spaces. MacArthur Place Hotel and Spa has a variety of meeting spaces, including a Coach House, a 150-yearold barn and beautiful historic gardens. Sonoma Valley Inn has 82 guest rooms and nearly 3,000 square feet of meeting space. Fairmont Sonoma Mission Inn and Spa can host groups of 350 people and is located about 1.5 miles outside of town in a neighborhood known for its immigrants from Mexico and Central America. Attendees can sample the area’s Mexican and Spanish cuisine at various restaurants and food trucks.
To add a bit of culture to their events, groups can invite Grupo Folklórico Quetzalen, a Mexican dance troupe, to perform. sonomavalley.com
COSTA MESA
Japanese immigrants began arriving in Orange County in the early 20th century. They worked as farmhands until they earned enough money to lease land and eventually buy their own farms. Since that time, Japanese culture has flourished in Costa Mesa and Orange
Whenin Santa Ana, Calif., you will discover a community rich in culture and pride, an eclectic art scene that is a mix of funky and folk; restaurants serving authentic recipes, hands-on and informative attractions, as well as both brand-name and artisanal shopping.
Founded in 1869, Santa Ana is one of the oldest cities in Orange County and one of the few that retains its original architecture and historic downtown.
Home to many artists, art is everywhere - on view in galleries and studios, adorning buildings, and in alleyways. Take a self-guided walking tour of Downtown and discover over 200 murals and sculptures.
The community’s rich Hispanic culture brings the vibrant flavors of Latin America to the dining scene with restaurants offering a mix of classic and eclectic flavors that take visitors on a culinary journey reflecting the city’s diversity.
Santa Ana hotels offer 42,000 square feet of meeting space, while unique venues – ranging from historic to Art Deco, are perfect for off-site events.
John Wayne Airport, Orange County, (SNA) is just two miles from most Santa Ana hotels, many of which offer complimentary airport shuttle service.
We invite you to meet somewhere different. Meet in Santa Ana.
ContaCt
anaLaura BeCerra Director of Sales, Travel Santa Ana analaura@travelsantaana.com
Scan to diScover Somewhere different.
Courtesy Sonoma Valley Visitors Bureau
A MEXICAN CULTURAL CELEBRATION IN SONOMA
County. Twice a year, in the spring and fall, the city hosts the OC Japan Fair, a three-day celebration of Japanese culture, art and food. Fans of Japanese anime show off their cosplay designs, while others come to dig into Japanese street food favorites like okonomiyaki. The fair also offers taiko drumming, J-pop music and kimono fashion shows.
Meeting planners can incorporate Japanese culture into their events by taking in the city’s art at Segerstrom Center for the Arts and Orange County Museum of Art, and during walking tours that highlight public art. The Costa Mesa Art Walk ends at California Scenario, a 1.6-acre public art installation by the Japanese artist Isamu Noguchi.
Hilton Orange County/Costa Mesa is the largest event venue in Costa Mesa, with 48,000 square feet of space. Crowne Plaza Costa Mesa Orange County has 9,000 square feet of dedicated meeting space and several outdoor areas. Walkable from these two full-service hotels is Mitsuwa Marketplace, an immersive Japanese grocery store with a food hall that offers rice bowls, udon noodles, a bakery and matcha dessert stand.
The city’s Ramen Row is a popular spot on Baker Street where visitors can enjoy seven different ramen shops, from traditional ramen to mazemen and tsukemen. Ramen Nagi is the newest addition to the Japanese food scene at South Coast Plaza, the largest shopping destination on the West Coast.
travelcostamesa.com
PALM SPRINGS
Greater Palm Springs is known as an oasis in the desert, home to beautiful resorts and golf courses. It is also known for its Native American culture. Meeting groups coming to the area can incorporate that culture and history into their events.
The Agua Caliente Cultural Museum tells the history of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, and a visit there could easily be paired with a cultural landscape tour. Visitors can soak in the thermal pools or book signature treatments at The Spa at Séc-he, a facility at the sacred Agua Caliente Hot Mineral Spring. Aziz Farms grows local produce through regenerative farming and offers meals and farm tours.
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs is the historic Hopi-inspired pueblo home of Cabot Yerxa, which includes Native American artifacts and stories of early desert settlers. The Palm Springs Historical Society offers walking tours, biking tours and vehicle tours that are customizable for groups and emphasize the stories of diverse pioneers and architects, including midcentury modern influences.
The Palm Springs Convention Center offers 261,000 square feet of event space that can accommodate more than 11,000 for a convention. Popular meeting hotels in the area include The Rowan Palm Springs and Thompson Palm Springs, JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort and Spa in Palm Desert and the Renaissance Esmeralda Resort and Spa in Indian Wells. Unique venues include The Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, which can host up to 350 for a banquet or 700 for a reception, or Metate Ranch, which is in the Indio Hills at the northeastern end of the Coachella Valley. It can hold up to 500 guests.
visitgreaterpalmsprings.com
Cabot’s Pueblo Museum in Desert Hot Springs is the historic Hopi-inspired pueblo home of Cabot Yerxa.
THE GROUNDS OF THE JW MARRIOTT DESERT SPRINGS RESORT IN PALM SPRINGS
Courtesy Visit Greater Palm Springs
In Southern California, Murrieta’s a safe bet with plenty to soak in
BY VICKIE MITCHELL
Murrieta — consistently the first or second-safest town in California. Its safety, coupled with exceptional services for its 110,000 citizens like outstanding schools and 53 parks, have helped draw people to what once was a tiny bedroom community.
Murrieta as a own are experts at hosting small meetings and with its location halfway between metro L.A. and San Diego on Interstate 15, is easily accessible. It’s also an hour or less from four major airports, including San Diego International, Orange County’s John Wayne and Palm Springs International.
RETREAT TO MURRIETA’S HOT SPRINGS
Now, with the reopening of a historic mineral springs resort, Murrieta has returned to its roots as a health and wellness retreat, making it an even more appealing meeting destination. Not only has Murrieta Hot Springs Resort returned, but four limited-service hotels have opened — up from just one eight years ago — and three to four more hotels are planned, according to Explore Murrieta’s President/ CEO, Patrick Ellis.
Murrieta Hot Springs’ new owners, who also own the Springs Resort in Pagosa, Colorado, have spent $155 million to resurrect the resort, which for 30 years had been the campus of a Bible college. The resort’s 174 guest rooms are in white stucco Spanish Colonial style buildings from the early 1900s, and its 46 acres are dotted with 50 pools, hot tubs and cold plunge pools, filled
EXPLORE MURRIETA
Patrick Ellis President/CEO
951-677-7916
patrick@exploremurrieta.com exploremurrieta.com
with its warm mineral waters, shaded by leafy palm trees. There’s a restaurant, several bars and a coffee shop, as well as a full-service spa and wellness activities like meditation and aquatic yoga.
Beyond the resort—where the public can buy day passes to enjoy the healing waters—there’s plenty to do, much of it outdoors. Golf outings capitalize on courses like Temecula Creek Inn, Journey at Pachanga and The Golf Club at Rancho California, designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr.
A WINERY RESORT AND TASTING TOURS
Grapeline Tours, which works closely with Murrieta Hot Springs, is among the companies that put together group tours with combine wine tastings with food pairings, picnic lunches or other options. Compared to other California wine regions, wineries around Temecula are laidback and less crowded, so visitors taste the region’s charm as well as its wines.
Several of the wineries have gone far beyond growing grapes and making wine, adding amenities like guest accommodations and meeting and event spaces. Europa Village styles its spaces to echo the architectures of Spain, France and Italy. One example? Its La Piazza at Vienza, a Tuscan plaza of stone, arches, heavy wooden doors and columnar evergreens. South Coast Winery Resort and Spa, the state’s winery of the year multiple times, has 132 guest rooms in suites and villas and 30,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor event space.
All in all, Murrieta adds up to a city that can be safely enjoyed, says Ellis. “People want to go where they feel safe, where they can walk around and explore. That, you can do here, without hesitation.”
Golden State Work and Play
BY PAULA AVEN GLADYCH
Meeting groups love “bleisure” destinations — places that combine business and leisure by offering state-of-the-art event venues as well as fun things to do for the entire family. Here are five classic California bleisure destinations that offer theme parks, tours, wine tastings, aquariums, hiking, biking and water activities for groups of all ages.
year-round and seven miles of beautiful beaches. The fam ily-friendly destination is known for the Flower Fields at Carlsbad Ranch, which bloom in April and May, as well as Legoland California Resort, Sea Life Aquarium and the Museum of Making Music. In addition to water activities, resorts in the area are close to scenic hikes.
The destination has more than 5,000 hotel rooms across 46 properties. Omni La Costa Resort and Spa is the largest full-service hotel in the city, with 600 rooms and more than 100,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space. The resort offers five restaurants, golf, a spa, tennis and pickleball courts and a kid-friendly pool area with waterslides. The Costa Del Sol Ballroom is 18,000 square feet and can host 1,400 for a banquet or 1,700 for a reception.
The Park Hyatt Aviara Resort, Golf Club and Spa has 83,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor space. The Westin Carlsbad Resort and Spa features 71,404 square feet of meeting space, and Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, a Hilton Resort and
Courtesy Visit Carlsbad
Spa, offers ocean views and 11,345 square feet of meeting space.
Off-site venues include the Flower Fields; Agua Hedionda Discovery Campus, which overlooks the Agua Hedionda Lagoon, a 400-acre estuary and wetland; and the Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park. visitcarlsbad.com
BURBANK
Burbank is known for its movie studio tours, live tapings of TV shows, unique shopping and restaurants, golf and the great outdoors. Meeting groups wanting to mix business and pleasure can host their meetings at several full-service hotels. Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Airport and Convention Center is the largest venue in the city with 395 rooms, 93 suites, 50,000 square feet of event space and 22 individual meeting rooms. Its largest room can hold 2,240 attendees.
Ramada by Wyndham Burbank Airport has 4,000 square feet of event space that can accommodate groups of 350. Cambria Hotel Burbank Airport has 6,900 square feet of space that can host groups of 200, and Hotel Burbank, with 30,000 square feet of event space, can host up to 300 in its largest room. There are also several smaller meeting hotels.
Warner Bros. Studio Tour takes visitors through the movie studio’s backlots, as well as special collections, such as a film archive and the Picture Car Vault. Universal Studios Hollywood also offers behind-the-scenes tours, rides, shows and attractions that put visitors inside some of the biggest movies ever made. Universal CityWalk, outside of the studio, offers shopping, bars, restaurants and other family-friendly attractions.
Movie buffs will enjoy visiting famous movie film locations around the city, and Burbank has large murals throughout that are worth a photo stop.
visitburbank.com
SANTA CATALINA ISLAND
Santa Catalina Island offers a nice respite from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Located 26 miles off the coast of California, the island is only accessible by ferry. After an hour-long boat ride, meeting groups can escape to the rugged landscapes and crystal-clear waters surrounding Avalon, the largest community on the island. The historic
Movie buffs will enjoy visiting famous movie film locations around the city, and Burbank has large murals throughout that are worth a photo stop.
Courtesy Visit Carlsbad
BEACHFRONT IN CARLSBAD
Courtesy Visit Burbank
TOURING WARNER BROS. STUDIOS IN BURBANK
Hotel Atwater recently underwent a major renovation that restored the property to its 1920s grandeur. It can host smaller events for up to 65 guests. Mt Ada, chewing gum magnate William Wrigley Jr.’s former mansion, is a more intimate luxury hotel.
There are 800 guest rooms in Avalon within walking distance of each other. The iconic Catalina Island Casino, built in 1929, sits on the edge of Avalon Bay. The Casino Ballroom has 50-foot ceilings with five Tiffany-inspired chandeliers and a stage, and it can accommodate 800 guests at rounds. The Avalon Theatre on the lower level of the Casino can seat 1,184 people. Catalina Country Club can host events from 10 to 200, and groups can incorporate a round of golf. Descanso Beach Club offers spectacular ocean views in an outdoor setting for up to 3,000. Catherine’s Terrace at Descanso Beach can accommodate up to 250.
For fun, groups can tour Wrigley’s Arabian horse ranch, El Rancho Escondido; take Catalina Tours’ Zip Line Eco Tour that soars 600 feet above Descanso Canyon; or enjoy glass-bottom boats, semi-submersible submarines and snorkeling in the island’s sparkling blue water.
visitcatalinaisland.com
TEMECULA
Temecula Valley is less than two hours from every major metro area in Southern California, making it a great destination for both business and leisure travel. Old Town Temecula, which dates to the 1880s, features hotel accommodations, nightlife, shopping and restaurants.
Meeting groups can escape to the rugged landscapes and crystal-clear waters surrounding Avalon, the largest community on Catalina island.
Courtesy Depot Theater
DINING AL FRESCO IN TEMECULA
A HUMMER TOUR OF CATALINA ISLAND
Courtesy Visit Temecula Valley
Gilroy, California Get Together in
GILROY, CALIFORNIA, is a convenient, cool community that’s ready to host your next unforgettable event. Right off Highway 101, our central location is ideal for visitors from all over California and beyond.
UNIQUE VENUES
Old City Hall:
Restored historic city hall and jail with eclectic ambiance | Capacity: Up to 140
The Neon Exchange:
Renovated classic hotel now filled with modern art | Capacity: Up to 250
Hilton Garden Inn:
Variety of meeting rooms from a trusted national brand | Capacity: Up to 280
GILROY GARDENS: Way More Than Just an Event Venue
Gilroy Gardens offers majestic gardens, unique rides, water attractions, dining and more amid lush grounds cultivated over decades, not to mention versatile venues for group meetings of all sizes. With indoor and outdoor spaces and a dedicated events team to handle catering, logistics and more, it’s a great choice for any occasion. Share the magic of Gilroy Gardens with your group.
UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES
• Shopping at the Gilroy Premium Outlets
• Trails for wine, beer, tacos and the arts
• Historic downtown with shops, eateries and entertainment
• Outdoor adventures and scenic hiking
• Easy driving distance to Monterey, Santa Cruz, the Bay Area and other top destinations
GROUP LODGING
• Hilton Garden Inn
• Best Western Plus-Forest Park Inn
• Hampton Inn & Suites
• Motel 6
Spa Pechanga and The Cove, a 4.5-acre oasis with three pools, a swim-up bar, a family pool with two waterslides and a splash pad for kids. The destination features 229,090 square feet of indoor event space. The nearly 40,000-square-foot Summit Ballroom can seat 3,300 for plated events. It also includes a large pre-function foyer and can be divided into five rooms. The facility features plenty of breakout rooms for groups of all sizes.
The Temecula Valley is Southern California’s wine country with nearly 50 wineries. Groups meeting in the area can participate in wine tastings, wine blending and culinary programs. Many of the area’s wineries offer group cooking classes and other activities.
South Coast Winery Resort and Spa sits on 38 acres of rolling vineyards. It has 40,000 square feet of flexible indoor and outdoor meeting space. Groups staying in the area can take hot-air balloon rides over wine country or visit Lake Skinner Recreation Area, a wonderful spot for picnics, hiking, horseback riding, sailing and fishing. The Santa Rosa Plateau Ecological Reserve is home to 200 species of native birds and 49 rare animals and plants. Groups can hike, bike or ride horses along the various trails throughout the reserve. visittemeculavalley.com
SAN RAFAEL AND MARIN COUNTY
San Rafael is the oldest and largest city in Marin County. Vic-
to visit San Francisco and Sonoma’s wine country.
The 236-room Embassy Suites by Hilton San Rafael Marin County is the largest meeting property in the city, with 19,332 square feet of event space. A Sonoma-Marin Smart Train stop is within walking distance of the hotel, running from Larkspur to Santa Rosa in Sonoma County. For a scenic route into San Francisco, groups can take the Smart Train to Larkspur and then hop on the ferry for a ride across San Francisco Bay.
Marin County has 2,300 hotel rooms and several unique meeting venues. Slide Ranch is an outdoor education facility on the Marin coast. Groups can explore its beautiful trails and coastline or book outdoor gatherings or events at its Farm-toTable Teaching Center, which has a professional kitchen and large outdoor deck. Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company offers cheese tastings, lunch, dinner and corporate events in The Fork, the property’s culinary and educational center.
McEvoy Ranch in nearby Petaluma is a small, family-owned farm that produces certified organic extra virgin olive oil. Groups can take tours of the ranch and have lunch or schedule an olive oil and wine tasting there.
visitmarin.org
San Rafael is the oldest and largest city in Marin County. Victorian buildings, ethnic restaurants and boutique shops line the downtown area.
Courtesy Marin CVB
MUIR BEACH IN SAN RAFAEL
CONNECTIONS MADE. TEAMS BUILT. IT’S GO TIME.
So
Where meetings become unforgettable experiences. With over 6,700 wellappointed rooms, endless activities, and seamless connections, your attendees will be inspired at every turn. From hiking the San Gabriel Mountains to exploring urban gardens and celebrating at Toyota Arena, adventure, value, and memories are ready to unfold. GO connect and make it happen.
